Baghdad: The Minister of Water Resources has emphasized the need to exchange data and information related to water resources between Baghdad and Erbil. Minister of Water Resources Muthanna al-Tamimi and Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources in the Kurdistan Regional Government, Begard Talabani, highlighted the necessity of sharing data in a recent meeting.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, a statement from the Ministry of Water Resources indicated that al-Tamimi received Talabani and her accompanying delegation at the ministry’s headquarters in Baghdad. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation and joint coordination between the federal government and the regional government in the field of water resources management, aiming to support water security and achieve national interests.

The statement added that the minister stressed during the meeting the importance of strengthening continuous communication and coordination between the two sides and holding meetings at both the ministerial and technical levels. Given the sensitivity of the water issue and its importance in achieving common interests, he emphasized the necessity of exchanging data and information related to water resources. This exchange contributes to improving water management, regulating releases, and ensuring the delivery of water from the north of the country to the south.

The statement continued, noting that during the meeting, the working paper presented by the Minister of the Region was discussed. This paper addressed dam maintenance and the implementation of several projects included in the strategic study on water and land resources, which the Ministry of Water Resources in the Federal Government is currently updating to align with the changes and challenges facing the water sector. The discussion also covered the construction of water harvesting dams and participation in training courses.

According to the statement, Begard Talabani emphasized the depth of relations and cooperation between the two sides and the Regional Government’s commitment to continuing joint work based on scientific principles. This collaboration aims to find appropriate solutions to shared water-related challenges and issues, both domestically and internationally, and to work as a unified team. The shared goal and responsibility are to secure water resources, protect and maintain them, and implement projects that serve the interests of all Iraqis.