Iraq: No threats to remove marshes by UNESCO

INA – BAGHDAD
 
Iraqi Ministry of Culture confirmed on Monday, that the marshes are still on the World Heritage List, noting that there is no threat to remove it.
 
“After marshes file being registered in the World Heritage List as one of the heritage landmarks, has a cultural aspect and an environmental aspect for which the Ministry of Environment is responsible for. This aspect is concerned with following up the arrival of water to this area," said the Ministry’s spokesman Ahmed Al-Aliawi to the Iraqi News Agency – INA.
 
The Ministry of Culture is concerned with the cultural aspect and the maintenance of this heritage aspect, "the issue of water is linked to the Ministry of Environment and coordination with neighboring countries that have a water connection with this region."
 
He stressed that "UNESCO has not officially notified us until today of any threat to remove the marshes from the World Heritage List," noting that "removing any item from the World Heritage List requires scientific reports from UNESCO and close follow-up."
 
"There are a set of standards that require the inclusion or removal of an item from the World Heritage List," he noted, explaining that "today’s reports do not refer to removing the marshes from the World Heritage List with this water scarcity, which is considered global after countries were damaged and their rivers dried up."

Al-Aliawi highlighted, saying that "the marshes are still on the list and there is no danger at an official level. We aspire to increase the water level in the marshes soon."