Iraqi prime minister attends workshop on water challenges in Al Hawizeh Marsh

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani participated in a workshop on Monday in Baghdad, organized by the Bahr Al-’Ulum Center and Al-Alamein Institute, to discuss water challenges and climate change impacting the marshlands. The event, with contributions from Iran’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, focused on the joint management of Al Hawizeh Marsh to maintain a sustainable water supply and reduce the effects of drought.

Al Hawizeh Marsh is among Iraq’s largest and most ecologically significant wetlands, part of the Mesopotamian Marshes in southeastern Iraq. Located along the Iran-Iraq border, the marsh has a water storage capacity of around 6 billion cubic meters, with sections extending into Iran.

Designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2007 under the Ramsar Convention, Al Hawizeh Marsh is globally recognized for its ecological value. In 2016, the marshes, including Al Hawizeh, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the Ahwar of Southern Iraq, acknowledging both their cultural and natural importance.

Full statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani attended today, Monday, a workshop organized by Bahr Al-’Ulum Center and Al-Alamein Institute, addressing marshlands, water challenges, and climate change affecting the region.

This workshop, the third on the marshlands, focused on Al Hawizeh Marsh and the best approach to jointly manage it with Iran, represented at the workshop by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohammad Hassan Sheikholeslami.

In his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to reassess the environmental status of the marshlands, initiate programs to mitigate climate impacts, and engage both domestically and internationally to support this cause. These efforts aim to ensure the continued water supply to the marshlands, counter the effects of drought, support local residents, provide essential resources for their livelihoods, and preserve the unique biodiversity of this ecosystem.

Key Points from the Prime Minister’s Speech at the Session:

🔷 Iraq is one of the countries most vulnerable to environmental shifts and climate change.

🔷 The dictatorship’s wars inflicted severe damage on natural resources, causing significant problems.

🔷 The government has signed numerous memoranda of understanding and agreements with various countries related to environmental and water issues.

🔷 The government has worked diligently to secure Iraq’s full water share by establishing joint management of the Tigris and Euphrates basins, in accordance with regulations governing shared river basins.

🔷 Al Hawizeh Marsh is one of the most significant and renowned marshlands, covering an area of up to 3,000 km², with a storage capacity of 6 billion cubic meters.

🔷 Al Hawizeh Marsh was registered under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands to protect it and maintain its water supply.

🔷 The marshlands have historical significance, leading UNESCO to list them as a World Heritage site and making them a tourist destination.

🔷 Environmental risks necessitate enhanced collaboration to mitigate the severe impacts of climate change.

🔷 The situation calls for increased efforts and the creation of mechanisms to protect our environment and climate from destructive influences.