World Water Council warns of escalating fresh water crisis

Dr. Mahmoud Abu Zied, president of World Water Council's Board of Governors and Egyptian minister of public works and water resources, confirmed on Wednesday in Cairo the adoption of an international program for examining the situation of fresh water in the world, putting an end to disputes and increasing the shares of member states through establishing major projects for the proper usage of water. The council has warned of an escalating world-wide fresh water crisis.

Abu Zied added that the coming council meeting in the Hague in March, 2000 will address the subject of water on the international and regional levels after ending a comprehensive adjustment of the world water situation.

During the council, Egypt presented yesterday a research paper which promoted irrigation, decreasing water consumption, and joint cooperation between the Nile basin countries for increasing the member states' shares.

36 members representing the World Water Council and the council's members in different countries of the world attended the conference in Cairo. The council is examining the membership of Syria and Jordan on the board of directors during its current meeting.