Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources announced significant progress on a new cooperation deal with Turkey, calling it a “turning point” in efforts to tackle the country’s worsening water crisis. The agreement, signed earlier this month, aims to secure Iraq’s water supply through joint projects and improved resource management.
Key Points of the Agreement
- Framework for Water Management: The memorandum of understanding (MoU) sets clear guidelines for sharing water resources fairly between the two nations.
- Strategic Projects: Six initial projects are planned:
- Three small dams for water harvesting and irrigation in rural areas.
- Three land rehabilitation initiatives to restore degraded farmland.
- Funding: Projects will be financed through revenues from Iraqi oil exports to Turkey.
- Joint Oversight: Both countries will monitor implementation to ensure transparency and quality.
Why It Matters
Iraq faces severe water shortages due to climate change and upstream damming by Turkey, which has built around 20 dams over four decades, holding nearly 80 billion cubic meters of water—eight times the capacity of Iraq’s Mosul Dam. Environmental groups warn that reduced inflows have pushed Iraq’s reserves to critical levels, forcing rationing measures.
Next Steps
The agreement includes launching tenders for Iraqi and Turkish companies and involving local communities in project areas. A joint committee will also work on rehabilitating Iraq’s water infrastructure and preventing future disputes over water rights.
Officials say this deal represents a new era of cooperation, focusing on sustainability for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and long-term water security.
(Source: The New Region)