Iraq president urges global action on water, climate at UN Ocean Conference

NEWSROOM — Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid on Monday called for urgent international cooperation to combat climate change and protect water resources, warning that dwindling river flows and declining reserves are threatening Iraq’s stability and agricultural economy.

Speaking at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, Rashid said water security had become an issue of “international and human security,” and urged countries to collaborate on sustainable management of rivers and marine ecosystems.

“Ocean security is no longer an environmental issue; it has become a matter of international and human security,” Rashid told delegates at the high-level gathering, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. He described the event as “an outstanding platform for exchanging visions and enhancing cooperation among our countries to confront common challenges.”

Rashid highlighted the impact of climate change and upstream water controls on Iraq’s two main rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates. “The decline in our water revenues from upstream countries has led to increased rates of internal and external displacement and a decrease in the contribution of agricultural production to the gross domestic product,” he said.

Iraq’s water reserves have dropped to their lowest levels in 80 years, with the country currently receiving less than 40% of its expected share from the Tigris and Euphrates, according to government data. The sharp decline is attributed to poor rainfall, reduced snowmelt, climate shifts, and extensive dam construction in Turkey and Iran.

“These dams have significantly curtailed the volume of water reaching Iraq, exacerbating the country’s environmental crisis,” Rashid said.

He called for “coordination and cooperation to reach agreements on water, rivers, and lakes that serve the interests of all” and urged the global community to support “innovative and sustainable financing to protect oceans.”

The UN Ocean Conference runs from June 9 to 13 and brings together governments, scientists, and advocates to accelerate action toward preserving the world’s oceans and waterways.

Excerpts from President Rashid’s speech:

We are participating today in this important conference, which serves as an outstanding platform for exchanging visions and enhancing cooperation among our countries to confront common challenges.

Iraq’s participation in this conference stems from a deep belief in the importance of multilateral action and a commitment to strengthening international partnerships to confront the repercussions of climate change.

Ocean security is no longer an environmental issue; it has become a matter of international and human security.

We are facing escalating challenges that require decisive action and genuine global solidarity based on science and financing to preserve our oceans and water resources.

In Iraq, we are facing a major challenge with the decline in water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers due to various factors, including climate change.

We call for strengthening international commitments through an action plan.

The decline in our water revenues from upstream countries has led to increased rates of internal and external displacement and a decrease in the contribution of agricultural production to the gross domestic product.

We call for expanding effective partnerships among governments, civil society, the private sector, and research institutions.

We call for supporting innovative and sustainable financing to protect oceans and to achieve integration among ministries of water, environment, and the blue economy in all countries.

We call for coordination and cooperation to reach agreements on water, rivers, and lakes that serve the interests of all.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the governments of the French Republic and the Republic of Costa Rica for their joint hosting of this vital conference, which is taking place at a critical time for the future of our oceans.

On behalf of the group, I renew our full commitment to supporting the path of the conference and actively contributing to the success of its work, ensuring the achievement of tangible and ambitious results that serve our shared goals in preserving the marine environment and achieving sustainable development.

Our oceans and seas represent the beating heart of the Earth and its indispensable lungs; they produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe, host most of the planet’s biodiversity, and play a fundamental role in regulating the global climate. They are also a cornerstone of our food security and economic growth, a deeply rooted source of our cultural identity, and a living extension of our shared human heritage.

The Group of 77 and China expresses deep concern over the rapid degradation of marine ecosystems, the continued exacerbation of marine pollution, and the overexploitation of marine resources. We are gravely concerned about the loss of biodiversity, ocean acidification, and the rising temperatures of ocean waters.