#Egypt #Cairo #World Water Council #innovative water order #Cairo Water Week

World Water Council's Bold Call for New Water Doctrine

The recent gathering at the 9th Cairo Water Week saw significant attention directed towards the urgent call made by the President of the World Water Council, Loïc Fauchon. Fauchon asserted the need for a transformative approach to water management, dubbed a 'new doctrine for water usage,' emphasizing that the time is ripe for innovative governance in this critical area.

The ongoing water crises, exacerbated by climate change, urbanization, and changing consumption patterns, prompted the council's leadership to urge the international community to rethink outdated strategies. Fauchon highlighted a startling reality: while technological advancements may be abounding and poverty is, in some instances, declining, the management of water resources remains alarmingly inadequate. "The world is in trouble," he noted, as conflicts and instability around water resources continue to escalate.

The essence of this new doctrine revolves around the proactive management of water supply and demand, ensuring that both human usage and the ecological needs of water are preserved. Fauchon encapsulated the core message in three actionable terms: conserve, store, and serve.

In presenting viable solutions that are ready for implementation, Fauchon spoke of the careful utilization of deep aquifers, regional water transfers, cost-effective desalination, and, notably, the reuse of wastewater. He dubbed the reuse of treated wastewater as the “water revolution of this century,” advocating for its application first in agriculture and industry, and ultimately for domestic purposes. This vision is already being modeled in Egypt, where facilities that treat wastewater are generating energy, showcasing the potential for such innovative practices.

However, Fauchon stressed that merely increasing supply will not suffice. The council calls for significant efforts to curb water loss through digital management and advocacy for water-saving technologies. There should also be a shift in societal attitudes towards water value, as well as a re-examination of the water footprints across agriculture, livestock, industry, and tourism sectors. Importantly, Fauchon pointed to the staggering statistic that 40% of produced food goes to waste, highlighting the need for a global campaign against food waste, which amounts to 2.5 billion tons per year – an issue he felt deserved a spot among the sustainable development goals.

The World Water Council stands firmly committed to fostering international collaboration, encouraging the exchange of best practices across continents while also ensuring youthful voices are included in these discussions. “No grand vision can be created without the youth of the world,” Fauchon emphasized, recognizing the vital role of the younger generation in shaping future governance of water resources.

Moreover, he reaffirmed the council's dedication to hydrodiplomacy, emphasizing the global aspiration for waterway peace while rejecting the notion of water wars. In connection with partners from Saudi Arabia and the wider water management community, the World Water Council is working towards making the 11th World Water Forum, scheduled for March 2027 in Riyadh, a historic milestone in the global water narrative.

This substantial call for a new doctrine highlights an imperative shift in recognizing water not just as a resource, but as a fundamental component for peace, sustainability, and global health. The need for innovative governance has never been more crucial, and all eyes will be on the actions taken in the coming years to address the pressing water management issues that affect millions worldwide.