EU launches FP7 Research Projects on Climate Change and Water Security in Egypt

The European Commission (EC) has launched three research projects focusing on Climate Change Impacts on Water and Security under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) in Egypt.

A delegation press release said the EC has dedicated over €9 million to funding these projects involving 44 institutions from all over the world. The research consortiums include three Egyptian researchers from the Suez Canal University, Zagazig University and Environment & Climate Change Institute of the National Water Research Centre.

The three projects form a cluster that focuses on investigating climate-induced changes on water resources and their impact on security in southern Europe and neighbouring countries. Because of its specific geographical and political situation, the Mediterranean area is particularly vulnerable to climate change and water scarcity. Integrated research represents a key component of decision-making regarding adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts at local and regional levels.

The research cluster is composed of two projects in natural science and one in social sciences. It includes studies on the Nile River basin, seeking to make significant progress on understanding of climate change impacts in this region, and to produce possible recommendations on adaptation or mitigation action plans. The three research teams will establish synergies among related scientific developments and work together to disseminate their findings to policy makers and other relevant stakeholders.

The first meeting of the three research teams, held in Cairo in coordination with the EU Delegation to Egypt, involved about 50 participants from the projects, European Commission officials as well as representatives from Egyptian research institutes, universities and water management boards. It is expected that the projects will deliver scientific information that will be of direct use by policy-makers and stakeholders at EU, national and local levels in all areas studied by the projects, including Egypt.