“The crisis will not be resolved by conferences.” The Baghdad Water Conference concludes its work am

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[size=52]“The crisis will not be resolved by conferences.” The Baghdad Water Conference concludes its work amid criticism[/size]

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04-29-2024
The Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference in Iraq, which began the day before yesterday, Sunday (April 27 to 29, 2024), concluded today, Monday, and discussed water challenges, international relations, and strengthening partnerships in this vital file, with the participation of Arab, regional, and international organizations.[/size]
[size=45]The Minister of Water Resources, Aoun Dhiab, said during his speech at the opening of the conference, “The Ministry of Resources is holding this conference, hoping that it will be a gateway to communication with the regional and international environment, with the participation of water resources management and sustainable development, and developing solutions to climate change that lead to a safe future.”[/size]
[size=45]Dhiab pointed out that “most of Iraq’s water resources come from outside the borders, and therefore the ministry decided to communicate with all countries.”[/size]
[size=45]The Minister of Water Resources stressed that “Iraq needs international support to support its position in confronting water challenges and to help it, and this is a main reason for holding such conferences.”[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that “preserving water is a shared responsibility for everyone in all sectors, and it must be preserved and used rationally for all uses and water waste should be prevented.”[/size]
[size=45]Dhiab confirmed what international reports said that Iraq is now living below the water poverty line. He said, “Iraq has begun to complain of a lack of water resources and has entered the water poverty line. This calls us to pay attention to the issue of water, and to shed light clearly on this problem.”[/size]
[size=45]United Nations reports indicated that 17 countries, including Iraq, out of 22 Arab countries live on the water poverty line, including 12 countries below this line, and 16 countries are threatened by drought by the year 2040 out of 33 countries around the world.[/size]
[size=45]The minister stressed the need for “there to be support for Iraq from the Arab countries regarding justice in the distribution of water shares for the shared rivers between us and the neighboring countries from which these rivers originate.”[/size]
[size=45]Dhiab also announced the launch of a project to study the national framework for drought risk management in Iraq, explaining that the Iraqi government has taken measures to confront drought, including promoting sustainable agriculture, developing water infrastructure, and enhancing cooperation with neighboring countries regarding joint management of water resources.[/size]
[size=45]He added, as well as finding alternative, non-traditional water sources, and benefiting from the treatment of wastewater and agricultural water and reusing it for many purposes, including creating green belts and forests in the vicinity of cities and for agricultural purposes in accordance with national specifications and legislation.[/size]
[size=45]In response to our correspondent’s question about not mentioning the Iraqi-Turkish agreement at the Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference, the minister said, “This conference is purely scientific and not political, and that the agreements were between Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and they contain very important topics.”[/size]
[size=45]During the conference, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani described the water situation in Iraq as “not in the best condition” due to the decline in the levels of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the worsening of desertification due to climate change.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sudani renewed his call to the riparian countries to cooperate and coordinate jointly to secure a fair water share for the country.[/size]
[size=45]While the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, said in his speech during the conference, that the water situation in Iraq is still witnessing increasing pressure due to various factors, including the decline in Iraq’s share, the continuation of drought, as well as the growth of the population, and the increasing effects of climate change.[/size]
[size=45]"Useless"[/size]
[size=45]However, this conference was criticized by parliamentarians and experts in the water issue because “the conference is scientific and has no expected benefit, as were the three conferences that preceded it,” and the water crisis cannot be solved by such conferences, especially since it comes days after the visit of Turkish President Erdogan and “the role The Iraqi interlocutor with Turkey is ineffective in resolving this vital issue.”[/size]
[size=45]In this context, a member of the Parliamentary Agriculture and Water Committee, Thaer Mohaif, says, “The water crisis remains and cannot be solved by such conferences and this timid speech by the Iraqi government. These conferences are nothing but recording words and showing muscles among the Iraqis,” he said.[/size]
[size=45]Makhif added during his speech, “This conference comes days after the visit of Turkish President Erdogan to Iraq, during which the Iraqi interlocutor was ineffective with the Turkish side, as the latter did not look forward to cooperating with Iraq, so he did not sign any document. Rather, the visit was just talk.” As for Iraq, Turkey obtained gains without giving anything to Iraq in return.”[/size]
[size=45]He points out that “talk in the media is limited to Turkey only, but in reality 25 percent of the water in Iraq comes from Iran through 42 streams, some of which are permanent and others seasonal.”[/size]
[size=45]For his part, the expert in the field of water, Adel Al-Mukhtar, says, “The fourth conference is scientific, and there is no benefit expected from it, as were the three conferences that preceded it, at a time when the water crisis is still continuing in Iraq.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Mukhtar confirms in an interview, “The country is going through a critical stage in light of the water scarcity, especially since the heat started early, as the temperature is close to forty degrees Celsius, even though we are still in the fourth month, while the water storage has reached the limits of 17 percent of the total storage area.” That is, the current storage emptiness is 83 percent.”[/size]
[size=45]Regarding the recent agreement with Turkey, he explains that “it was disappointing, as it did not include a digital quota and other matters that were required, and we were hoping that the Iraqi negotiator with Turkey would demand the cancellation of the Jazra Dam, as well as demand international arbitration to resolve the issue completely, but this was not demanded.”[/size]
[size=45]As for the agricultural plan, it is expected - according to Al-Mukhtar - to be a small agricultural plan, contrary to the statements of the official concerned authorities.[/size]
[size=45]Water position[/size]
[size=45]In turn, Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Agriculture, Water and Marshlands Committee, Zozan Koger, confirms that “the water situation in Iraq is witnessing improvement as a result of good rainfall, which has led to an increase in storage to reach 10 billion cubic metres, and has also enhanced water in the Tigris and Euphrates, and this is especially good at the present time.” For next summer season.”[/size]
[size=45]During her speech, Cougar added, “The current year is considered humid, and that Iraq’s needs reach 70 billion cubic meters, that is, more than the water reserve. This was exacerbated by Iraq’s exposure during the previous years to drought and desertification, and it had an impact on the agricultural and animal sectors and other sectors, which posed a danger.” “And a threat to food security and environmental security in general.”[/size]
[size=45]She points out that “climate changes, the lack of water revenues, the decline in water demand, and the non-use of modern methods of irrigation and agriculture, all of this led to a water crisis.”[/size]
[size=45]Cougar calls for the necessity of “developing strategic plans to benefit from rainwater by constructing dams to harvest water, so that we can benefit from it, especially in seasons when there is water scarcity, or when there is a need for it during drought, especially in the summer.”[/size]
[size=45]Conference recommendations[/size]
[size=45]The Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference came out with a set of recommendations at its conclusion, which stated:[/size]
[size=45]– Strengthening international cooperation in shared river basins in accordance with the principles of international law, respecting the rights and interests of the riparian states on the international river, and securing their equitable water needs.[/size]
[size=45]We condemn what is happening in Gaza, including the bombing and targeting of defenseless civilians, infrastructure facilities, and water complexes, and we call on the international community to stop these crimes.[/size]
[size=45]– Developing the capabilities of technical and legal teams working in the field of international cooperation related to shared waters.[/size]
[size=45]Establishing a joint coordination center between riparian countries in shared river basins.[/size]
[size=45]– Formulating and enforcing policies, regulations and laws related to the sustainability of water resources, especially Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals.[/size]
[size=45]– Emphasis on preserving natural and environmental systems and relevant World Heritage sites and developing their communities.[/size]
[size=45]– Consolidating the unique value of water.[/size]
[size=45]- Emphasizing the sustainable use of groundwater and ensuring that it is not depleted and that drinking water has priority in the use of this resource.[/size]
[size=45]– Efficient use of water in arid and semi-arid areas.[/size]
[size=45]– Increasing the role of water guidance and awareness through educational institutions to rationalize water use.[/size]
[size=45]– Expanding the use of water harvesting techniques, using solar energy for water desalination, and expanding the safe use of agricultural drainage water.[/size]
[size=45]Expanding the use of remote sensing technologies and artificial intelligence in developing water resources monitoring and management and monitoring violations.[/size]
[size=45]– Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify vulnerable areas and populations exposed to water-related hazards.[/size]
[size=45]- Establishing an enabling environment for the formation of emerging technology companies that will attract investment and create job opportunities in the areas of maximizing water resources.[/size]
[size=45]– Creating the appropriate conditions for social innovation and community participation, including involving local communities in the design and implementation of projects to maximize water resources in order to promote sustainable solutions from within.[/size]
[size=45]– Use effective irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and highly efficient sprinklers.[/size]
[size=45]– Strengthening cooperation and partnership to address the challenges of the interconnectedness of energy, water, environment and food security.[/size]
[size=45]- Continuing to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Third and Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference through the conference secretariat and come up with a vision of the themes and objectives of the conference in its fifth edition.[/size]
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