Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue (RCD) hosted His Excellency the Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Aoun Diab Abdullah, in a dialogue seminar titled, "Water Resources in Iraq: Tumultuous Files and Postponed Solutions." The event was held at the Center's Sérgio Vieira de Mello Hall in Najaf, with a distinguished presence of academics, specialists, employees from relevant government departments, and media professionals.

The Minister discussed a range of issues related to the ministry's work, beginning with the challenges that Iraq's water resources have faced since the ministry's inception. He pointed out that the rate of water inflow into Iraq today is the lowest it has been since 1930, emphasizing that the issue of water in Iraq has become a fundamental and pivotal national concern. He presented a set of challenges at both the domestic and international levels that have led to the current water scarcity.

In the same context, His Excellency showcased several successful international experiences in water rationalization, including the implementation of modern irrigation methods. He stressed the importance of legislating a comprehensive water resources law that would regulate water use and define the shares for each of Iraq's governorates. Furthermore, he highlighted the need to utilize Iraq's groundwater as a supplementary source to surface water, which is diminishing day by day.

The Minister also addressed the problems caused by upstream countries, particularly Turkey. He noted the importance of adhering to international agreements that stipulate the sharing of damages among riparian states. However, he stated that the data indicates these countries are not engaging positively on the water file as stipulated by international law and conventions.

Additionally, other topics were prominent in the Minister's lecture. These included the status of dams and their development, the ministry's proposal to build 20 new dams to invest in clean energy, the critical situation of the Marshes, and the importance of rainwater, which served as a significant and high-quality resource this year, helping to alleviate water scarcity.

This seminar is part of the annual Ramadan evenings hosted by Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue (RCD), aligning with its scientific and research activities and its mission to discuss the most significant political, economic, social, and cultural issues concerning the Iraqi state.