UNDRR advances climate resilience, early warning systems, and risk-informed water management at Cairo Water Week 2026

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) contributed its expertise in disaster risk knowledge, early warning systems, and risk-informed governance to Cairo Water Week 2026, emphasizing the importance of connecting climate and water-related information with decisions that strengthen preparedness and community resilience.

Across two days, UNDRR engaged with regional and international partners to advance people-centred climate action, sustainable water management, and integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction.

26 October: Putting people at the heart of climate action

On 26 October, UNDRR joined the Netherlands Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for a high-level session under the Water at the Heart of Climate Action (WHCA) initiative.

Supported by the Governments of the Netherlands and Italy, WHCA is implemented by UNDRR, WMO, IFRC, the Netherlands Red Cross, the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), and national partners. The initiative strengthens climate and water resilience in five Nile Basin countries: Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.

The session presented WHCA's approach to connecting climate science, risk knowledge, and community action, while introducing an exploration phase in Egypt to identify national priorities, institutional capacities, and opportunities to strengthen climate services and early warning systems.

In a recorded message, Sandra Amlang, Chief of UNDRR's Regional Office for Arab States , emphasized:

"Together, we can place water not only at the heart of climate action, but also at the heart of resilient communities, sustainable development, and a safer future for the Nile Basin."

Saira Ahmed, UNDRR Regional Programme Manager, underscored the importance of building a strong foundation of reliable, community-informed data to improve risk understanding, strengthen early warning systems, and ensure that warnings translate into timely action.

27 October: Advancing risk-informed water and coastal management

On 27 October, UNDRR continued its engagement through WHCA stakeholder consultations on the initiative's exploration phase in Egypt. Discussions focused on national capacities, institutional coordination, and opportunities to strengthen climate services, early warning systems, and community preparedness.

UNDRR also contributed to the panel session  PS-3: Enhancing Climate Resilience through Sustainable Water Resources and Coastal Zone Management Solutions , featuring  H.E. Dr. Hani Sewilam, Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation , as keynote speaker.

The session brought together high-level participants, including Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD); Ms. Meike van Ginneken, Water Envoy of the Government of the Netherlands; Dr. Wayne Jenkinson, Director of the Division of Hydrology and Cryosphere; and Ms. Pieternel Boogaard, Managing Director at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Discussions examined how climate change is intensifying water-related risks, including floods, droughts, sea-level rise, and water quality degradation, and the need for integrated approaches linking water resources management, coastal protection, and climate adaptation.

During the panel,  Raidan Al Saqqaf, Deputy Chief of UNDRR's Regional Office for Arab States, highlighted the importance of systematically collecting hazard data, understanding how hazards interact, and identifying communities most exposed to disaster risks.

He summarized the approach in a clear message:

"Think multi-hazard, know who is at risk, and connect data to decisions."

His intervention reinforced the importance of integrating multi-hazard risk assessments into water management, infrastructure planning, and investment decisions to strengthen preparedness and long-term resilience.

From risk knowledge to early action

UNDRR's participation at Cairo Water Week highlighted the close relationship between water security, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.

Through WHCA and continued regional cooperation, UNDRR is supporting efforts to strengthen risk knowledge, improve institutional coordination, and advance people-centred early warning systems, ensuring that information reaches communities and decision-makers in time to inform action.

The central message: understanding risk is essential, but resilience depends on turning that knowledge into timely decisions and effective action.