Dr. AbdulHakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, stated that food security challenges in the region are concerning amid worsening conflicts and water scarcity, stressing the need to enhance regional cooperation and exchange expertise to address them.

Speaking at the opening session of the 9th Cairo Water Week—held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly—Elwaer pointed out that large numbers of people in the region cannot afford a healthy diet, noting that 14 Arab countries faced critical levels of water stress last year.

He highlighted that the FAO continues to support efforts aimed at improving water resource management and scaling up successful solutions to boost resilience, emphasizing that tackling these challenges requires comprehensive coordination across countries and sectors.

Notably, the 9th edition of Cairo Water Week features broad participation with 137 technical and scientific sessions organized and sponsored by major international organizations. Highlights include a key preparatory session for the UN 2026 Water Conference, as well as sessions on green water and capacity building in collaboration with UNESCO and global partners.