Egypt's minister of irrigation and water resources on Sunday launched the second edition of Cairo Water Week to promote water awareness in the country.

The event, organized in collaboration with the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation also aims to encourage innovation to tackle water-related challenges.

The event is set to run until Thursday.

Top government officials and various envoys from Arab and African countries attended the opening ceremony in addition to water experts and researchers.

At the ceremony, documentaries were screened detailing the importance of water in agriculture and the need to utilize the commodity wisely.

Various sessions are lined up, including deliberations on achieving sustainable development goals with regard to water.

The UN recognizes safe drinking water and sanitation as basic human rights, as they are indispensable to sustaining healthy livelihoods and fundamental in maintaining the dignity of all human beings.

International human rights law obliges states to work towards achieving universal access to water and sanitation for all, without discrimination, while prioritizing those most in need.

(With input from Ahram Online, UN Water)