In collaboration with the League of Arab States, YLE organizes a workshop on water diplomacy in the Arab region with the participation of the Ministries of Irrigation and Environment
YLE Foundation, in collaboration with the League of Arab States, organized a dialogue workshop titled “Water Diplomacy in the Arab Region: The Road to COP31,” held over two days, March 30–31, 2026, at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo. The workshop brought together a distinguished group of officials, experts, and specialists in water, climate, and sustainable development issues.
The first day featured an interactive program based on group discussions, addressing key themes including biodiversity and water systems, desertification and land degradation, the water-food-energy nexus, as well as artificial intelligence and digital solutions for water resource management, and sustainable water and coastal management. The day concluded with a closing session to compile insights and formulate initial outcomes.
The opening session was dedicated to presenting the program agenda and guiding participants through the different discussion tracks.
The second day included a roundtable on water security in the Arab region—policies, governance, and future pathways—chaired by Eng. Mohamed El-Sebaie. Participants included Dr. Mohamed Abdel Aty, Former Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation; Dr. Mahmoud Fathallah, Director of Environment and Climate Department at the League of Arab States; Ambassador Raouf Saad, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment; Eng. Marwa Khattab, Director General at the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation representing the Minister; Mr. Islam Mohamed, Director of NGOs Department at the Ministry of Environment representing the Minister; Dr. Mohamed Salman Tayea, Head of the Political Science Department at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University; and members of the House of Representatives and Senate from the Coordination of Youth Parties and Politicians.
The second day also featured specialized sessions on the water-food-energy nexus and integrated solutions for sustainable development, as well as blue entrepreneurship and innovation in the water sector, and addressing water scarcity through modern technologies and innovations, including desalination, water reuse, smart irrigation, and nature-based solutions. These discussions aimed to explore the scalability and regional suitability of such approaches.
Ahmed Fathy, President of YLE Foundation, presented the outcomes of the first day, emphasizing the importance of moving from dialogue to actionable solutions that enhance water security in the Arab region and support regional cooperation and evidence-based policymaking.
The sessions also addressed water within the climate agenda on the road to COP31, Arab water security amid geopolitical and regional changes, governance and policy frameworks for water management in the Arab region, water diplomacy and regional cooperation, and the role of public policies in supporting water security, while integrating youth-driven outcomes and innovation into decision-making processes.
Through its diverse themes and the wide range of expertise involved, the workshop highlighted that water issues are no longer a standalone technical matter, but a central pillar linking climate, food, energy, development, and regional stability. This calls for broader partnerships and stronger integration between public policies, innovation, and community-based approaches to ensure a more sustainable and resilient water future in the Arab region.
