Egypt hosts Sahara and Sahel Observatory meeting on water sustainability and climate challenges
via Egypt Today2 min read
Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to water sustainability and regional cooperation during the 33rd meeting of the Board of Directors of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory OSS in Cairo. The session included ministers and officials from several African countries, along with representatives from regional and international organizations. Egypt鈥檚 Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, who chairs the Observatory鈥檚 Board, emphasized that hosting the meeting highlights the urgent need for regional integration and collective action against climate change and pressure on natural resources. He described the gathering as an opportunity to renew commitments to sustainable development and highlighted the Observatory's role in natural resource management and climate adaptation. Farouk outlined priorities such as improving program implementation, strengthening financial sustainability, enhancing governance, and expanding partnerships, stressing the importance of member states fulfilling financial commitments. Egypt鈥檚 Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hani Sweilem, underscored the centrality of water resources to sustainable development and called for integrated water resources management, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Sweilem noted that challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification necessitate enhanced regional cooperation, data sharing, and advanced technologies. He highlighted the Observatory鈥檚 role in supporting member sta
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
Egypt expressed deep concern over attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and villages in the West Bank, citing violence, intimidation, and the burning of homes, property, and religious sites. Egypt stated these actions are an extension of systematic policies that risk escalating tensions and undermining peace. The country condemned these practices as flagrant violations of international law, international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which affirms the illegality of Israeli settlements. Egypt called on the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities by taking decisive measures to stop settler attacks and protect the Palestinian people. Egypt also emphasized building on US President Donald Trump's stated position rejecting the annexation of Palestinian territory and displacement of the Palestinian people, stressing the need to implement his plan to de-escalate, improve humanitarian conditions, and create conditions for resuming the political process toward a just and comprehensive peace.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi issued Decree No. 301 of 2026, granting pardons for the remainder of sentences for certain convicted inmates. This decision marks the 74th anniversary of the July 23, 1952 Revolution. The decree, published in the Official Gazette, applies to several categories of prisoners. Those sentenced to life imprisonment who have served at least 15 years by July 23, 2026, are eligible, though they will remain under police supervision for five years. Additionally, individuals serving fixed prison terms before July 23, 2026, are eligible if they have completed one-third of their sentence by that date, with a minimum of four months served. This also includes inmates serving multiple sentences for offenses committed prior to their correctional center entry.
Must ReadEgypt and Saudi Arabia have urged an immediate cessation of all military operations and emphasized the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation. This call came during a phone conversation between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The ministers stressed the need for political and diplomatic solutions to regional crises and enhanced coordination among Arab nations to maintain security and stability. They also reaffirmed the importance of securing international maritime routes and rejecting any attempts to obstruct transit through international waterways. These discussions occurred amidst escalating regional tensions, including the ongoing conflict in Iran, retaliatory attacks across the Middle East, and recent Houthi attacks on Saudi maritime interests in the Red Sea, alongside Tehran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.