MOWR: Measures to address the revenue shortage and develop drilling wells

INA - BAGHDAD

Minister of Water Resources - MOWR, Aoun Diab Abdullah, confirmed on Monday that Iraq is committed to achieving the goals of sustainable development despite the challenges it faces in water scarcity, noting that the ministry has taken several measures to address the shortage of water revenues.

"Abdullah headed the ministerial delegation participating in the activities of the First International Forum on Soil and Water 2024, held in Thailand, Bangkok, and organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO, where the forum witnessed the discussion of several axes concerned with water management and its sustainability globally under the conditions of climate change and soil," according to a statement by MOWR - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA. 

The Minister said in his speech at the activities of the international forum, "The forum is an important platform for discussing common challenges in water and soil management and building partnerships to confront water scarcity and its effects on societies. The size of the challenges facing water resources has begun to grow as a result of the widening gap in water supply and demand."

"The 2030 Sustainable Development Plan highlighted the importance of water and increasing the efficiency of water resource management in the Tigris and Euphrates basins to secure water and achieve environmental sustainability to meet needs in various circumstances," he included.

He noted that "the ministry has taken many measures to address the shortage of water revenues by using modern irrigation techniques and developing a plan to drill groundwater wells in remote areas," pointing out, "One of the ministry's priorities is to transform water transport by pipes to reduce waste, control water distributions, limit violations, and increase the efficiency of delivering water in good quantity and quality to all beneficiaries."

"Iraq has a roadmap under the title of the strategic study of water, land resources and updates to ensure water, food, environmental, and energy security," said Abdullah.

He concluded by saying that "Iraq is committed to achieving the goals of sustainable development despite the challenges it faces in water scarcity, and to provide a role model as well as enhance partnership and cooperation for a better water future and spread peace and stability in the region."