Under the auspices of the Ministry of Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, the Luxor governorate hosted the conference “Egypt can … by sons of the Nile” Feb. 26-27. The participants, who gathered to discuss solutions to Egypt's water shortage, included 21 Egyptian scientists living abroad who have experience in water resource management and agriculture. Also in attendance were Luxor Gov. Mohammed Badr and Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Ati along with six other ministers — of immigration and Egyptian expatriates; military production; petroleum and mineral resources; higher education and scientific research; environmental affairs; and agriculture and land reclamation — reflecting the government's deep interest in the issue.

The conference focused on mechanisms for maximizing Egypt’s access to available water resources, achieving water security, and exploiting water treatment and desalination technologies and economics. It also examined the use of space technology applications for addressing water and agriculture issues.

Abdel Ati, in his speech to those in attendance, remarked, “There are major challenges related to the problem of water shortage in Egypt, especially considering that 97% of the country’s water resources originate outside the borders. Add to this that climate change is leading to rising temperatures, which, along with population growth, lead to increased water consumption.” He added, “The ministry believes in the need to achieve water security and address water poverty risks by adopting all kinds of possible solutions, the water problem being of utmost importance to Egyptians.”

Chief among the recommendations proposed at the closing session were encouraging the media to spread water awareness among the population, expanding the use of unconventional water resources, for example, desalinated seawater and treated wastewater, and supporting water-related projects and technologies. Noor Ahmed Abdel Moneim, an expert on strategic water management, backed the proposals.