Erbil...a conference to discuss the challenges of water management in the Kurdistan Region

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Erbil hosted a conference addressing water management challenges in the Kurdistan Region, featuring both local and international participants.

In the presence of Fawzi F Hariri, Chief of the Regional Presidency’s Office, Begard Talabani, Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Governor Omed Khoshnaw, and Mohammad Shukri, Chairman of the Investment Board in the Kurdistan Region, aimed to tackle critical issues in water management.

The General Directorate of Water Resources, in collaboration with the University of Kurdistan, organized the conference, bringing together university professors, experts, and representatives from the United Nations and international organizations specializing in water.

The discussions at the conference focused on prioritizing the development of a comprehensive roadmap for water management. Emphasis was placed on addressing sanitation challenges and implementing recycling strategies to meet both current and future water needs in the region.

Scientific sources highlighted the imminent risks of climate change, predicting a one-degree Celsius rise in temperatures and a 10% decrease in rainfall rates by 2050. This could result in a 20% shortage of fresh water, affecting approximately one-third of Iraq and the surrounding region.

In the Kurdistan Region, rain contributes to about 30% of groundwater, with rivers accounting for the remaining 70% of water sources.