Arab League Secretary-General: Strengthening Water Security Represents a Priority for Arab National Security

Cairo, August 17 (KUNA) -- Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy stressed on Monday the importance of strengthening Arab water security in light of the region’s challenges, including water resource scarcity, droughts, desertification, and rising temperatures. The Arab League said in a statement that this came during a meeting between Fahmy and Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilam, aimed at promoting avenues for enhancing Arab cooperation in the field of water security. The statement added that Fahmy emphasized during the meeting that addressing water scarcity challenges requires concerted collective action based on strengthening cooperation and leveraging commonalities and shared interests among Arab states. He clarified that both sides reviewed, within this framework, the ongoing preparations for upcoming Arab and international events, including the 17th session of the Arab Water Ministers Council and the 7th Arab Water Conference, scheduled for October next year. He also pointed to preparations for the UN Water Conference to be held in Abu Dhabi in December next year, as well as the 11th session of the World Water Forum, scheduled to take place in Riyadh next year. According to the statement, both sides agreed to continue coordination and consultation in the coming phase to support Arab efforts aimed at addressing water challenges and enhancing sustainable water resource management. (End) M.M. / N.S.A.