Minister of Water Resources Aoun Dhiab Abdullah has initiated a call for the strategic development of water security plans during a workshop focused on the pressing water issues facing the nation today, February 16, 2025. The workshop is held at the General Authority for Irrigation and Reclamation Projects, where resources managers are expected to engage in comprehensive discussions regarding the current state and future sustainability of water resources across all governorates.
According to the ministry’s announcement, the workshop aims to evaluate ongoing phase projects and assess their viability for inclusion in a strategic study that defines water classifications. This evaluation includes a review of the predominant fish lake situation in the region.
In his opening remarks, Minister Abdullah highlighted the significant challenges that the water resources sector is facing, which include climate change, diminishing rainfall, and reduced snow cover—all of which adversely affect water availability in the region.
He emphasized the necessity of updating the strategic study to reflect the changes that have occurred in the upper Tigris and Euphrates river basins, particularly due to the negative impact of dams and reservoirs on water inflow. The minister underscored the importance of identifying effective solutions to optimize water utilization while ensuring equitable distribution among users, stressing the need to carefully delineate agricultural lands and irrigation areas based on current water availability.
Furthermore, Minister Abdullah instructed water resources directors to formulate practical strategies for water allocation and usage, emphasizing the importance of identifying lands suitable for irrigation—whether using surface water or groundwater. He noted the proactive stance taken by the Prime Minister in combating various forms of water misuse, including the inappropriate use of flowing wells, and acknowledged the efforts of the General Authority in enforcing modern closure techniques on these sources, in addition to addressing issues in prominent fish lakes.
The Minister remarked, “A successful engineer is one who ensures water reaches even the most remote areas of a project fairly, overcoming the inherent challenges.” This perspective underscores the critical role of engineering expertise in managing water distribution effectively.
Additionally, the technical advisor of the Ministry reviewed obstacles that have hindered the strategic study, particularly in relation to urban growth and population expansion. He emphasized the need for precise mapping and identification of agricultural areas, taking into account developments from prior years in order to align project outputs with the current water landscape in the country.
The workshop also covered discussions on phase projects aimed at securing irrigation for agricultural land. Haider Lutta, director of the strategic study department, presented data on water requirements for irrigated zones, opening the floor for dialogue among experts and water resources managers in the governorates to devise actionable solutions tailored to the region’s water and agricultural needs.
