Baghdad: Minister of Water Resources Muthanna al-Tamimi met with the Italian Ambassador to Iraq, Nicol² Fontana, to discuss prospects for joint cooperation in water resources management and development. The meeting took place at the Ministry headquarters in Baghdad.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during the meeting, al-Tamimi emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with Italy, noting the advanced technical capabilities of Italian companies and their pivotal role in implementing future water infrastructure projects. This aligns with the Ministry’s focus on adopting modern irrigation methods, conserving water, and improving its efficiency.

The Minister reviewed Italy’s previous experience in Iraq, particularly in the Mosul Dam project, as well as the preparation of the comprehensive strategic study for water and land resources. He stressed the importance of leveraging this experience to support and develop the water resources sector.

The meeting also addressed the current work of Italian companies on the project to update the strategic study for water and land resources and the project to study mitigating saltwater intrusion in the Shatt al-Arab waterway. The Minister emphasized the importance of both projects in supporting water resources management and contributing to addressing existing challenges.

For his part, the Italian ambassador expressed his country’s full readiness to expand cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources and support its development plans by involving reputable Italian companies in the implementation of future water projects, thus supporting Iraq in facing the challenges of water scarcity and achieving water security.