Syria, Tunisia and Iraq discuss challenges facing water and irrigation sectors

Minister of Water Resources Hussein Makhlouf and his Iraqi counterpart Aoun Thiab Abdullah on Monday discussed the current situation of water in the two countries, the challenges facing this sector and future plans for solutions.

The meeting of the two officials was held on the sidelines of the Fourth Baghdad Water Conference.

They reviewed the current situation in the light of climate change and the resulting social, environmental and economic impacts, and the main connection between food security and water situation, which requires more efforts and coordination between the two countries to solve these difficulties, given the common challenges facing the two countries.

The two sides affirmed the continuation of cooperation and joint programs for exchanging technical expertise that are currently taking place, and the continuation of work to develop them in the future for the benefit of the two brotherly countries.

Makhlouf also held a meeting with the Tunisian Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Abdel Moneim Belaati and discuused with him future cooperation and the possibility of activating coordination mechanisms and exchanging experiences in the water, sanitation and irrigation sectors.
Water issues and the growing importance of this sector and its direct effects on all social, economic and environmental aspects were also discussed. This requires more effort to improve the scientific and practical mechanisms used in the management of this sector. The two sides reviewed the experiences of the two countries in these areas and future visions and plans for their development.

Hamda Mustafa