The Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference calls for respecting the rights of countries sharing international rivers in accordance with international law

Baghdad (ST) – The Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference, which concluded today with Syrian participation, called for strengthening international cooperation in shared river in accordance with the principles of international law and for respecting the rights and interests of the riparian countries in the international river.

In their final statement, the conference participants stressed developing the capabilities of technical and legal teams working in the field of international cooperation related to water, and establishing a joint centre between riparian countries in shared river to exchange knowledge, information, and scientific research.

The statement called for preserving natural and environmental systems and relevant World Heritage sites and developing their communities, as one of the solutions derived from nature to contribute to reducing the effects of climate change, and securing the water necessary to ensure their sustainability.

The statement indicated the importance of sustainable use of groundwater, ensuring that it is not depleted and giving drinking water priority in the use of this resource.

The conference focused on conducting comprehensive risk assessments to identify vulnerable areas and populations exposed to water-related hazards, establishing early warning systems to ensure timely alerts and rapid response, in addition to the use of effective irrigation techniques.

Najla Khoury