The Ministry of Water Resources announced, on Wednesday, rational plans to confront the water scarcity crisis internally and externally, while revealing understandings that would open the way for productive cooperation on Iraq's water share.

In his speech during the National Conference on Safe Water Management in Iraq, Minister of Water Resources Aoun Diab said, "The country is facing challenges of water scarcity for the fourth year in a row due to the reality of climate change afflicting the basins of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in addition to the lack of water flows as a result of the policy of the upstream countries." .

He explained, "The Ministry of Water Resources is working at the internal and external levels to confront water scarcity, as it has developed rational plans for water management, and coordination in this regard with all sectors and institutions to ensure the delivery of water shares to all beneficiaries, especially in the governorates of southern Iraq."

He stressed, "The ministry is committed to providing raw water of good quality to support water flows throughout Iraq," noting that "Iraq relies 70 % of its water releases from outside the borders, so the ministry works diligently and in coordination with upstream countries regarding revenues."

He added, "Negotiations about water are continuing with the support of the Prime Minister in order to reach defining a fixed water plan for Iraq," noting that "during the convening of the Third Baghdad International Water Conference, in the presence of high-level delegations of ministers of the Upper River countries, understandings were reached that would opening the way for productive and constructive cooperation.

He pointed out that "the Ministry of Water Resources, with the support of the Prime Minister, launched a wide campaign to lift abuses of water resources, with great support from the armed forces represented by the Joint Operations Command and the Ministry of Interior, as well as governors and local governments," noting "the great effort made in this direction, which contributed to the removal of many abuses of water resources."

Diab called on those concerned with water affairs in general to "rationalize water consumption and take measures to adapt to water scarcity."

Source: National Iraqi News Agency