Iraqi President Highlights Urgent Water Crisis & National Development Goals at Scientific Academy

Iraqi Presidency

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid & Dr Mohammed Hussein al-Yassin.

As part of his commitment to academic and scientific engagement in pursuit of sustainable development, President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid visited the Iraqi Scientific Academy, where he was received by the Academy’s President, Dr Mohammed Hussein al-Yassin, and members of the scientific board.

The visit centred on a high-level dialogue concerning the outcomes of the France Ocean Water Conference, with a particular emphasis on Iraq’s worsening water scarcity crisis and the pressing need for comprehensive and coordinated resource management. The discussions were attended by Minister of Water Resources Aoun Diab, Minister of Environment Hallo Al-Askari, presidential advisers, and leading academics and researchers specialising in environmental and water policy.

In his address, President Rashid underlined the severity of Iraq’s water challenges, citing climate change, regional geopolitical tensions, and unsustainable upstream dam construction as key contributing factors. He called for the adoption of a national water strategy founded on conservation principles, modern irrigation systems, and advanced agricultural practices.

“We have witnessed a dramatic decline in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers over recent decades,” the President stated. “Much of this is due to unilateral water policies and dam construction by upstream countries, in the absence of binding agreements to ensure the equitable distribution of these vital resources. That must change if we are to safeguard Iraq’s future.”

To address these challenges, the President proposed the formation of a national water committee comprising representatives from relevant ministries, technical experts, and academic leaders. He also announced that the Presidency has submitted a proposal to Parliament to establish a Supreme Water Council, mandated to resolve disputes and shape Iraq’s long-term water policy.

Expanding on broader economic priorities, President Rashid stressed the importance of diversifying Iraq’s economy through investment in agriculture, industry, and private sector development. Reflecting on Iraq’s history of conflict and instability, he stated that the country is now entering a new era of security, stability, and sustainable recovery.

On foreign policy, the President reaffirmed Iraq’s constructive international role: “We maintain strong relations with our neighbours and the wider international community. Iraq continues to serve as a platform for dialogue, seeking to ease regional tensions and promote lasting peace.”

President Rashid also spoke of the strategic importance of cultural and scientific institutions, commending the Iraqi Scientific Academy for its enduring contributions to national intellectual life.

“Iraq has a rich and distinguished heritage in science and scholarship,” he noted. “Supporting institutions like the Academy is essential to preserving this legacy and fostering future generations of researchers and thinkers.”

Academy President Dr Al-Yassin hailed the visit as historic—the first by a sitting Iraqi head of state—and a testament to the government’s commitment to cultural and scientific progress.

The session concluded with an open forum, during which the President fielded questions on Iraq’s water future. He reiterated the absence of binding legal frameworks for regional water-sharing and detailed his ongoing efforts to champion Iraq’s water rights on the international stage, including direct engagements with the UN Secretary-General and other key global stakeholders.

Among the urgent concerns raised was the proliferation of unregulated fish farms, now regarded as a significant source of water waste. The President was unequivocal in his response: “In light of our critical water shortage, we must take immediate action to dismantle unauthorised fish farms and prevent the establishment of new ones.”

Following the dialogue, the President toured the Academy’s library, viewing its collection of rare books and manuscripts. He praised the institution’s role in preserving Iraq’s intellectual and cultural heritage and stressed the importance of expanding its resources to continue fulfilling its mission.

In recognition of his steadfast support for Iraq’s academic and cultural institutions, President Rashid was presented with the Iraqi Scientific Academy Shield.



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