CAIRO — Egypt is planning to raise the water issue at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2022 (COP27), which it will be hosting in Sharm el-Sheikh later this year, and is expected to attract great international attendance.

On May 9, Egyptian Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said during a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Cairo Michele Quaroni that Egypt will raise the water issue during the COP27 as a new topic in climate conferences.

Fouad noted, “This has become urgent in light of the increasing importance of water issues such as the pollution of seas and oceans, and the sustainable quality of life for local communities dependent on water.”

Egyptian Minister of Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aty said in statements to Egyptian TV May 7, “Egypt is hosting the summit [COP27] this year and African issues are at the top of our priorities. For the first time, the water issue will have a special focus during the COP27, and we will thus discuss water issues and water shortages, periods of drought and floods, and changing the location and quantity of rain.”