As an important step toward strengthening institutional integration among national entities concerned with protecting Egypt’s coastal zone, a cooperation protocol on the exchange of data and information and the operation of the National Coastal Observation System was signed today, Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The signing took place as part of the project “Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation in the Nile Delta and Egypt’s Northern Coast,” implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the Green Climate Fund.

The signing of the protocol comes as part of Egypt’s efforts to enhance its capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change and support the integrated management of coastal zones. It establishes a sustainable institutional mechanism for exchanging data and information among the participating national entities, ensuring the continued operation of the National Coastal Observation System and maximizing the use of its outputs in support of planning and decision-making.

The National Coastal Monitoring System is one of the key technical and scientific pillars for monitoring changes in the coastal and marine environment. It enables the monitoring of a range of variables, including sea levels, wave heights, weather conditions, and changes affecting beaches. This contributes to building an integrated scientific database that supports coastal risk assessment and the identification of intervention priorities for protecting Egypt’s coastal zone.

The protocol also aims to enhance data exchange, integrate information sources, and standardize mechanisms for utilizing available data. This will support the development of early warning systems for extreme events, improve the efficiency of coastal risk assessments, and contribute to the preparation and implementation of appropriate measures to adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change, particularly in coastal areas most exposed to risks.

The signing ceremony was attended by a number of leaders, officials, and experts from the relevant national entities, including:

* Prof. Dr. Sherif Mohamedy, Chairman of the National Water Research Center.

* Eng. Mohamed Hassan Ghattas, Chairman of the Egyptian Public Authority for Shore Protection and National Director of the Project.

* Eng. Walid Hakiki, Head of the Strategic Management Sector.

* Eng. Howaida El-Nouby, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian General Survey Authority.

* Eng. Ashraf Darwish, Head of the Irrigation Sector.

* Dr. Ayman El-Saady, Vice Chairman of the National Water Research Center.

* Dr. Osama El-Zaher, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian General Survey Authority.

* Eng. Gehan El-Sherbiny, Head of the Central Administration for Telemetry at the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

* Dr. Yasser Raslan, Director of the Coastal Research Institute.

* Dr. Mohamed Hussein, representing Major General Hisham Tahoun, Chairman of the Egyptian Meteorological Authority

* Dr. Mohamed Ahmed, Executive Manager of the Climate Change Adaptation Enhancement Project.

* Dr. Mohamed Soliman, Coordinator of the project’s Coastal Monitoring System.

The signing of this protocol represents an important step toward consolidating cooperation among national institutions, enhancing the sustainability of the National Coastal Observation System, and utilizing scientific data to support Egypt’s efforts to protect its coastal zone, reduce climate change-related risks, and achieve sustainable coastal development based on knowledge and effective institutional coordination.

It is worth noting that this Protocol brings together the National Water Research Center, the Egyptian Public Authority for Shore Protection, the Strategic Management Sector, and the Irrigation Sector of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, in addition to the Egyptian Meteorological Authority and the Egyptian Survey Authority.