My forefathers are from the Egyptian Nile Delta, an area that would have been a total desert had it not been for the River Nile. Thanks to abundant freshwater resources coming from the subtropical parts of Africa, a thriving civilisation has flourished in this area for thousands of years. The Nile flows through the entire country running from south to north before spilling into the Mediterranean Sea. My Middle Eastern heritage means that I have always understood water scarcity and have therefore deeply appreciated the importance of water resources.