pan African implementation and partnership conference on water: Opening remarks Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid minister of water resources and irrigation, EGYPT

Abstract

This opening remarks delivered by Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt at the Pan-African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water. Dr. Abu-Zeid, on his remarks highlighted that; African needs both technical and capital support. It is time for the international community to respond in favor of such demand and provide the long waited for, financial and technical support for Africa's efforts to implement the MDG's , and combat poverty and land and water. In Africa, increasing agricultural productivity is a key to poverty reduction. To increase benefits of irrigated agriculture to the poor, it is critical to understand the real social and economic benefits of irrigation development, the water environment where poor people live, their production preferences and what designs can allow poor people and small holders to make the most of their opportunities. The promotion of good practice, capacity building and training programs of African Engineers, and operators is crucial for a successful water infrastructure O&M.