Baghdad: Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has directed Baghdad Mayoralty and municipal departments in the capital to set a clear timeframe for addressing 11 environmental pollution sites along the Tigris River.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office revealed that Al-Sudani chaired a meeting of the National Supreme Water Committee. The meeting, attended by the Minister of Water Resources (also acting Minister of Agriculture), the Minister of Environment, the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, and several advisors and committee members, focused on pressing water-related issues.

The agenda of the meeting included a review of the current water situation and challenges linked to drought and reduced water inflows anticipated for the 2025-2026 water year. The Prime Minister highlighted the necessity of addressing violations against water resources within sustainable legal frameworks. He instructed authorities to maintain preventive measures and pursue all types of violations, especially during water scarcity periods.

Al-Sudani underscored the importance of adhering to the approved agricultural plan, cautioning against any expansion that could adversely affect water resources, particularly in the summer season.

The meeting also recommended financial allocations by the Ministry of Finance for the Climate and Environment Dialogue Initiative for Regional Prosperity, aligning with a communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In addition to these discussions, the committee approved several decisions, such as directing the Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Baghdad Mayoralty to implement water consumption reduction measures. These include installing household water meters, maintaining and upgrading distribution networks, enhancing public awareness on optimal water use and waste reduction, and reviewing tariffs and subsidy regulations.

Further decisions included approving draft amendments to shoreline investment regulations, recommending new regulations for water well drilling to the Council of Ministers, endorsing recommendations from the National Negotiating Team on shared regional waters with neighboring countries, and assigning a force from the Ministry of Interior to secure the removal of river islets within the river basin near the Samarra Barrage.