Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid. (Photo: Iraqi presidency office)
Media Monitor
Iraq’s President Rashid: ‘We are facing dwindling water resources, increasing desertification, and drought’
ANBAR — President Abdul Latif Rashid on Saturday called for collective efforts to achieve political and economic reform, emphasizing the critical role of Iraq’s intellectual “elites” and scientific cadres in fostering “societal awareness” and driving national progress.
Speaking from Anbar University during his visit to the governorate, President Rashid also highlighted the pressing issue of Iraq’s dwindling water resources, attributing the crisis to climate change, water mismanagement, and “actions by neighboring countries.”
He emphasized the urgent need for “close cooperation among relevant government entities, experts, and academic specialists” to safeguard these vital resources.
Rashid called for rational water consumption and the adoption of modern irrigation methods as key measures, alongside combating desertification through strategies to expand green cover and increase tree planting.
Iraq is facing rising temperatures and declining rainfall due to climate change, resulting in severe droughts and water scarcity.
Rainfall patterns have become more unpredictable, with an overall decrease in precipitation, particularly in the southern and central regions.
The United Nations identifies Iraq as one of the five countries most vulnerable to certain effects of climate change, with tens of square kilometers of land lost to desertification annually.
Excerpts from President Rashid’s speech:
It is my pleasure to meet with you at this important university in the dear governorate of Anbar, which has endured much due to terrorism, but through our heroic security forces and the resilience of its people, managed to defeat it and thwart its malicious plans.
We affirm our support for the work of universities, colleges, and institutes and their development to achieve their intended goals of enhancing the integrity and reputation of universities and elevating their academic standards to graduate cadres that serve state institutions.
You are well aware of the great role entrusted to Iraq’s scientific cadres and elites in fostering societal awareness and building generations of youth to supply state institutions and society with skilled and youthful energy, in addition to their important role in strengthening political life.
We all bear a great national responsibility to work together and cooperate to consolidate the security and stability the country enjoys after years spent confronting violence and terrorism that affected all Iraqis, and to preserve the national achievements attained.
Security and stability are the foundational pillars for launching efforts toward development and progress for our country and people, building a strong base to continue the path of construction, reconstruction, service delivery, and improving citizens’ living conditions.
We must work together, each in their respective capacity, especially the scientific cadres, experts, and intellectual elites, to address some of the challenges facing the country in various economic, social, health, and environmental sectors.
We are all essential partners in the process of development, societal building, political reform, combating negative phenomena, addressing administrative and financial corruption, protecting the environment and natural resources, and confronting the impacts of climate change.
We are facing dwindling water resources, increasing desertification, and drought, influenced by three main factors: climate, water management, and the actions of neighboring countries. This necessitates close cooperation among relevant government entities, experts, and academic specialists to preserve water resources through rational consumption and adopting modern irrigation methods. Additionally, combating desertification and drought requires strategies for spreading green cover and planting trees.