Independent Expert on human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation to visit Egypt

The Independent Expert of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, will undertake an official visit to Egypt from 21-28 June 2009 at the invitation of the Government.

During her visit, the Independent Expert will consider the measures adopted by Egypt to facilitate access to safe drinking water and sanitation. She will hold meetings with Government officials, UN agencies, civil society organizations and other relevant actors. Apart from the capital, Ms. de Albuquerque will visit areas outside Cairo, including Upper Egypt.

A press conference on the preliminary findings of the Independent Expert's visit will be held on Sunday, 28 June, at 2 p.m. at the Office of the United Nations Information Centre in Cairo.

Catarina de Albuquerque, a senior legal adviser at the Office for Documentation and Comparative Law (an independent institution under the Portuguese Prosecutor General's Office) was appointed Independent Expert by the Human Rights Council in September 2008. For further information on the mandate of the Independent Expert, please consult the web page of the mandate on the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/water/iexpert/index.htm