Latest news with #waterresources
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's water resources in focus
The Ethiopian government recently announced the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and extended invitations to several countries, including Egypt, to attend the official inauguration ceremony scheduled for September 2025. This announcement has sparked widespread concern and disapproval in Egypt, particularly given the ongoing fears about the dam's potential negative impact on the country's historic share of Nile River water, which is Egypt's primary lifeline. In this Factsheet, we will shed light on the changes in Egypt's water resources since the first fill of the GERD in 2020. We will also highlight the efforts made by the Egyptian government to secure the country's water needs, chief among them the expansion of seawater desalination projects. The Nile River is Egypt's key source of freshwater, with 55.5 billion cubic meters (bcm), representing 93% of freshwater sources, followed by 2.5 bcm coming from deep groundwater, 1.3 bcm from rains, and 0.38 bcm from seawater desalination. In addition to natural water resources, Egypt treats water. In fiscal year (FY) 2023/24, the country produced 21.95 bcm by treating surface groundwater and wastewater. The number of water treatment stations in Egypt increased over the past five years from 2,742 in FY2019/20 to 2,795 in FY2023/24. This represents around 2% increase over the mentioned period. As a result of expanding water stations, clean water production grew by 5.2% from 110 bcm in FY2019/20 to 115.7 bcm in FY2023/24. Cairo came on top of clean water-producing governorates, with 1.9 bcm in FY2023/24. Water consumption hiked from 8.5 bcm in FY2019/20 to 9.1 bcm last year, recording 7% growth rate. Despite the increase in produced water, the per capita consumption declined from 110.1 cubic meters (m3) in FY2019/20 to 108.6 m3 in FY2023/24. Notably, in the past FY, the New Valley governorate had the highest per capita consumption with 359.3 m3. On the other hand, Minya governorate came last with a per capita of 55.9 m3. In FY2023/24, water consumed for agriculture irrigation hit 62.13 bcm or 76% of Egypt's water resources, followed by 11.48 bcm used for drinking, and 5.52 bcm in the industrial sector. To overcome the projected repercussions of the GRED, the Egyptian government expanded its plans for seawater desalination projects. Currently, Egypt has around 100 stations with a production capacity of 1.2 million cubic meters (mcm). © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Major development projects in Al Dhahirah Governorate reviewed
Muscat: Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, conducted a field visit to Al Dhahirah Governorate, during which he reviewed several vital development projects serving the marketing of fisheries, livestock production, and water resources in the Wilayats of Yanqul and Ibri. He was accompanied during the visit by Dr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Bakri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture; Sheikh Saeed bin Humaid Al Harthi, Wali of Ibri; Engineer Salem bin Ali Al Amrani, Director General of Agricultural Resources and Water Resources in Al Dhahirah Governorate; a number of directors general and officials from the Ministry; and the Chairman of the Omani Agricultural Society. The visit included the fish market project in the Wilayat of Yanqul, which is currently in its final stages of completion. The Minister was briefed on the progress of the project and the market's components. This project is considered an important service project aimed at strengthening the fish marketing system in the Wilayat and enhancing the efficiency of seafood trade in a healthy and organised environment. The Minister also visited the water dam in the Dhahir Al Fawares area of Ibri, implemented through community partnerships, and observed the dam's positive impact in replenishing groundwater and protecting residential and agricultural areas from flood hazards. He listened to an explanation from specialists about the dam's performance and its role in improving water resource management in the region. The Minister also visited the Gulf International Company's table egg production project in Ibri. This project is one of the leading investment projects in the food security sector. Established in 2019, it is considered one of the largest projects in the Gulf region, spanning an area of 18 million square metres at an estimated cost of OMR26 million, with a daily production capacity of up to one million eggs. He was briefed on the production stages and technologies used in poultry farming, emphasising the importance of supporting these projects that supply the local market with high-quality food products. During his visit, The Minister affirmed that the Ministry continues to support development and investment projects that contribute to achieving food security and environmental sustainability, praising the efforts of the private sector and the effective partnership with the local community in the success of these initiatives that enhance food production. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
'Supporting livelihoods!': India UN Fund creates dam in Burkina Faso; empowers farmers, students
Poa [Burkina Faso]: The India UN Fund has completed the construction of the historic Niangdo dam in Burkina Faso, which will serve 50,000 people and had remained a dream for the Poa commune for over four decades. The news of the completion of the Niangdo dam was shared by the Indian Mission to the United Nations on Friday. In a post on X, the Indian Mission said, "Supporting livelihoods! A dam has been built in #BurkinaFaso under #IndiaUNFund." In another post, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation stated that under the India-UN Fund, a 580,000m³ dam to restore 5,000ha of land has been constructed. Henceforth, 400 farmers, of which 60 per cent are women, have been trained; 344 students, of which 52 per cent were girls, learnt market gardening and 40 washroom facilities were built for the resettled families. The UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) said that the dam had been a dream for more than four decades. Construction of the dam is significant as the West African country is landlocked and has historically struggled with challenges like unpredictable rainfall. These faultlines have further deepened due to the climate crisis. Hence, UNOSSC noted in its report that the mobilization of water resources and their development are central to ensuring food security and combating extreme poverty. The project was launched in 2020 as a partnership of the Government and UNDP, and with the support of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. As per UNOSCC, along with the jobs, the community in Poa has experienced a welcome economic vitality. Established in 2017, the USD150 million India-UN Development Partnership Fund is supported and led by the Government of India and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations system, UNOSCC said. The Fund supports Southern-owned and -led, demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world, with a focus on least developed countries and small island developing States. As per UNOSCC, UN agencies implement the Fund's projects in close collaboration with partnering Governments. India's engagements with Africa have increased manifold in the last decade. During India's G20 Presidency in 2023, African Union was granted permanent membership of the grouping. While answering a question on India and Africa in the parliament earlier this year, MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh had highlighted that over the years, India has extended more than 190 Lines of Credits amounting to USD 12.22 billion to 42 partner countries in Africa. He had underlined, "India's development partnership with Africa is based on a consultative model of cooperation, sharing of development experiences and is focused on addressing the priorities and needs of the African countries." These have been to implement projects in varied sectors such as power, hydroelectricity, transmission & distribution networks, dams, roads, railways, agriculture & irrigation, industrial units, skills development, amongst others.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Al Dhahirah Governorate to construct 18 groundwater recharge dams
Ibri: Acting in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, citizens in wilayats of Al Dhahirah Governorate joined hands in the construction of 18 groundwater recharge dams as part of a community partnership project. The project aims to boost groundwater reserves and ensure the sustainability of water resources for future generations. The step reflects the growing trend of community awareness about the importance of community-enhanced management of water resources. The dams' construction was funded by local citizens and the Ministry in a gesture that embodied the success of integrated efforts in the field of water resources management. Eng. Mubarak Salim Al Jabri, Director of the Water Resources Department in Al Dhahirah Governorate, said that work is currently underway to construct 7 new groundwater recharge dams as part of the community partnership initiative, as follows: 3 dams in the wilayat of Ibri, 3 dams in the wilayat of Yanqul and 1 dam in the wilayat of Dhank. The ministry contributes 20 percent of the cost of the project, while the citizens bear the remaining 80 percent. Al Jabri told Oman News Agency (ONA) that dams are a key element in improving water supply in wells and aflaj, and this helps raise agricultural productivity and provide water in a sustainable manner for the community. Al Jabri added that this year also saw the completion of maintenance of 8 existing dams in Al Dhahirah Governorate. Al Jabri said that Al Dhahirah Governorate has 36 dams ('groundwater recharge dams' and 'flood protection dams'):18 are government dams and 18 are community partnerships-based dams. He pointed out that these dams represent a fundamental pillar in supporting the infrastructure of water security and water resources. The dams achieve sustainable agricultural development in the governorate's various wilayats, he explained.
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Major development projects in Al Dhahirah Governorate reviewed
Muscat: Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, conducted a field visit to Al Dhahirah Governorate, during which he reviewed several vital development projects serving the marketing of fisheries, livestock production, and water resources in the Wilayats of Yanqul and Ibri. He was accompanied during the visit by Dr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Bakri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture; Sheikh Saeed bin Humaid Al Harthi, Wali of Ibri; Engineer Salem bin Ali Al Amrani, Director General of Agricultural Resources and Water Resources in Al Dhahirah Governorate; a number of directors general and officials from the Ministry; and the Chairman of the Omani Agricultural Society. The visit included the fish market project in the Wilayat of Yanqul, which is currently in its final stages of completion. The Minister was briefed on the progress of the project and the market's components. This project is considered an important service project aimed at strengthening the fish marketing system in the Wilayat and enhancing the efficiency of seafood trade in a healthy and organised environment. The Minister also visited the water dam in the Dhahir Al Fawares area of Ibri, implemented through community partnerships, and observed the dam's positive impact in replenishing groundwater and protecting residential and agricultural areas from flood hazards. He listened to an explanation from specialists about the dam's performance and its role in improving water resource management in the region. The Minister also visited the Gulf International Company's table egg production project in Ibri. This project is one of the leading investment projects in the food security sector. Established in 2019, it is considered one of the largest projects in the Gulf region, spanning an area of 18 million square metres at an estimated cost of OMR26 million, with a daily production capacity of up to one million eggs. He was briefed on the production stages and technologies used in poultry farming, emphasising the importance of supporting these projects that supply the local market with high-quality food products. During his visit, The Minister affirmed that the Ministry continues to support development and investment projects that contribute to achieving food security and environmental sustainability, praising the efforts of the private sector and the effective partnership with the local community in the success of these initiatives that enhance food production.
