Baghdad: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, chaired an expanded meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters to discuss the water and environmental challenges facing Iraq. The meeting was attended by key figures including the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Multilateral Relations and Legal Affairs, Ambassador Shorsh Khaled Saeed, Counselor Torhan Mufti, and representatives from the Ministries of Water Resources, Environment, and Agriculture.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Fuad Hussein highlighted the importance of examining the papers submitted by the relevant ministries. He pointed out the severe water crisis in Iraq and its direct effects on drinking water provision, as well as the agricultural and environmental sectors. Hussein emphasized the necessity of raising environmental awareness among citizens and rationalizing water use. He also discussed the vital role of the media in spreading awareness on these issues.
Hussein further noted that environmental challenges have transcended local boundaries and have become global issues that require cooperative and integrated solutions. He underscored the need for both strategic planning and immediate solutions to tackle these challenges. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he explained, is instrumental in engaging diplomatic channels with neighboring countries to enhance cooperation on shared water management. The Ministry also tracks international agreements related to water resources to secure Iraq’s rights and interests.
During the meeting, representatives from various ministries presented working papers diagnosing environmental and water challenges both domestically and internationally. These papers also proposed solutions and examined water revenue volumes, water quality, and their impacts. Future strategic plans for food security and addressing water scarcity across different sectors were also discussed.
In concluding the meeting, participants stressed the need for a comprehensive plan to combat climate change and enhance inter-ministerial coordination. They also called for intensified diplomatic efforts to secure Iraq’s water and environmental safety in the future.