EU AQUA Dialogue at Cairo Water Week 2024

Cairo Water Week 2024

EU AQUA DIALOGUE

16 October 2024

Opening Remarks by

Ambassador Christian Berger,

Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and, most importantly, our young water leaders,

Good morning! I am honored to be with you today at the second EU Aqua Dialogues, where we gather to discuss some of the most urgent and critical issues of our time-water, climate change, and the role of youth in shaping our future.

As we all know, water is life. It is the foundation of all ecosystems, and yet, as we speak, millions of people worldwide struggle to access clean and safe water. Here in Egypt and across the Mediterranean, water scarcity is a daily reality. Climate change is further exacerbating these challenges, creating more frequent droughts, floods, and water shortages. The numbers are alarming-by 2050, it is estimated that 1.8 billion people will be living in areas of absolute water scarcity. This is why today's conversations are so vital.

But today is not just about challenges-it's about solutions and opportunities, and the essential role you, the youth, play in this journey. The European Union recognises that you are the driving force behind the innovations that will solve these problems. The solutions must be local, sustainable, and powered by the creativity of young water entrepreneurs and innovators, just like you.

In this spirit, I am excited to announce the launch of several important initiatives today that will further support your journey and amplify your voices in the global water discourse.

As part of the Team Europe Initiative for Integrated Water and Food Security, I am proud to announce the launch of the EU Water Goodwill Ambassadors Program. Through this initiative, young leaders like yourselves will be appointed as EU Young Water Ambassadors, tasked with advocating for water conservation and climate resilience across Egypt and beyond. This platform will empower you to work alongside the EU delegation, local governments, and international organizations, making a real impact on the ground.

Additionally, we are launching the H2O Incubation Hub to foster young water entrepreneurs and innovators. The Hub will serve as a springboard for your ideas, offering resources, mentorship, and funding to develop projects that address water scarcity, wastewater management, and sustainable agriculture. This initiative reflects the EU's commitment to investing in youth-driven solutions, ensuring that innovative technologies are part of the solution to the water crisis.

You might ask-how does the EU fit into this? The Team Europe Initiative is a collaborative effort across the EU Member States, aiming to bring an integrated approach to solving the water-food-energy challenges here in Egypt. Through the EU-Egypt Strategic Partnership, we are aligning our support with Egypt's Vision 2030, helping to modernise the water sector, improve irrigation efficiency, and promote sustainable farming practices.

We understand that lasting solutions must be locally driven. That's why the EU is committed to supporting Egypt's Ownership Policy by ensuring that these initiatives are tailored to local communities and reflect Egypt's priorities. By empowering young people through education, skills training, and entrepreneurship, we are building a resilient future.

But we can't do it alone. Collaboration between governments, the private sector, and international partners is crucial to achieving sustainable water and food security. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are already working closely with Egypt to provide blended finance and support public-private partnerships. These partnerships are the key to unlocking the funding needed to implement innovative water solutions on a large scale.

So why are you, the youth, at the center of this conversation? It's because we believe that innovation often comes from fresh perspectives. You see the world differently, and your ideas are not limited by the barriers of the past. You understand the importance of using social media, technology, and creative campaigns to raise awareness about water conservation-just like our EU Water Goodwill Ambassadors are doing today. You understand the urgency of climate action and the need to act now.

To close, I want to leave you with a challenge. I encourage each of you to use this platform to innovate, to lead, and to push boundaries. We need you to be bold in your thinking and brave in your actions. The solutions to the water crisis will come from people like you-young innovators, entrepreneurs, and advocates who are willing to take risks and create change.

The EU is here to support you, but the future is in your hands. Let's work together to ensure that we not only secure water for today, but for the generations to come.

Thank you, and I look forward to the discussions ahead.

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