Baghdad: Minister of Water Resources Muthanna al-Tamimi has declared that reducing pollution in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is a collective national responsibility, necessitating integrated efforts from both governmental and societal sectors. He emphasized the need for stringent measures against polluters to safeguard public health and environmental safety.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry of Water Resources released a statement following the second meeting of the National Team for the Regional Initiative to Protect the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The meeting, held under the slogan “Our Water. Our Future,” included representatives from various government agencies and sectors. Discussions focused on the initiative’s objectives, initially launched at the Fifth Baghdad International Water Conference in 2025.
During the meeting, al-Tamimi highlighted the importance of activating governmental and legal actions against those harming water resources, alongside enhancing community awareness programs about pollution’s hazards on health and the environment. He also noted the ministry’s advanced smart system for monitoring pollutants, which aids in assessing water quality and identifying pollution sources for necessary mitigation actions.
The meeting’s agenda included action plans centered on modern technology usage, improving water efficiency, and reinforcing environmental and institutional governance to counter drought, climate change, and mounting pressure on water resources.
Participants reviewed strategic projects in waste management, water desalination, smart agriculture development, marsh revitalization, and the establishment of a regional database to bolster water diplomacy and regional cooperation in managing water resources. They concluded by stressing the importance of transforming the initiative into a detailed implementation program with clear, measurable projects aimed at protecting the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, promoting water sustainability, and laying the groundwork for future water security.