Yemen Participates in the Third Joint Ministerial Meeting of Arab Water and Agriculture Ministers in Cairo
SMA NEWS – CAIRO
The Republic of Yemen participated in the third joint ministerial meeting of Arab water and agriculture ministers, held in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, under the theme “Institutional Coordination and Policy Harmonization to Achieve Water and Food Security in the Arab Region.” A delegation headed by the Minister of Water and Environment, Eng. Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, and the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries, Salem Al-Soqatri, participated.
The Yemeni delegation emphasized the importance of enhancing integration between the water and agriculture sectors to achieve sustainable management of natural resources in the Arab region, noting that climate change and the increasing demand for limited water resources require Arab countries to adopt coordinated policies and effective partnerships to ensure water and food security.
He explained that Yemen, despite the exceptional challenges and water and agricultural difficulties it faces, is continuing to implement national programs that enhance integrated water resource management, support the use of modern irrigation technologies, and encourage sustainable agricultural practices based on water efficiency. He emphasized that coordination between relevant ministries and agencies has become an urgent national necessity, not just an administrative option.
He pointed out that the government prioritizes water and food security within its programs and seeks, through its plans, to align national policies with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. He noted the significant role played by the League of Arab States and international and regional organizations in supporting Arab countries’ efforts to achieve institutional integration in this vital area.
The delegation also emphasized that food security cannot be achieved in isolation from effective and sustainable water resource management, emphasizing that integration between the agricultural and water sectors represents the fundamental pillar for enhancing agricultural production and improving its efficiency in light of climate challenges, drought, and the degradation of agricultural land.
The meeting, attended by Arab water and agriculture ministers and representatives of relevant regional and international organizations, discussed progress made in implementing the Cairo Declaration and its Action Plan and enhanced joint Arab cooperation to address water and food security challenges.
