Iraq and Turkey sign executive mechanism for water cooperation agreement

BAGHDAD — Iraq and Turkey signed on Sunday the executive mechanism of their framework cooperation agreement on water management, a move officials said would pave the way for large-scale projects to address Iraq’s deepening water crisis.

The signing ceremony in Baghdad was attended by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein representing the host country.

Al-Sudani called the agreement “one of the sustainable solutions to Iraq’s water crisis,” saying it will launch “major joint projects in the water sector to address and manage water scarcity.” He emphasized that Iraq’s water challenges require “cooperation rather than dispute,” describing the mechanism as “a framework for equitable and practical management of shared water resources.”

The prime minister said the deal builds on the results of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Baghdad last year, when both sides pledged to expand cooperation in water management, energy, and trade. He added that the initiative forms part of Iraq’s broader plan to ensure water sustainability and strengthen partnerships with neighboring countries.

“The water crisis is not unique to Iraq; it is a global challenge,” Al-Sudani said. “But Iraq is among the nations most affected by climate change and upstream dam projects. This mechanism will support bilateral relations with Turkey and help expand cooperation across all sectors to serve the common interests of both countries.”

Fidan conveyed Erdoğan’s greetings to Al-Sudani and praised the Iraqi government’s “constructive steps toward strengthening bilateral relations.”

“This mechanism will allow us to implement practical projects that improve water management and infrastructure, ensuring fair use and sustainable development,” Fidan said, adding that Ankara views Iraq as a key partner in regional stability. “Our cooperation is not limited to water — we are working together in energy, trade, and security, and these efforts will contribute to the prosperity of both countries.”

The signing followed a joint press conference earlier in the day, when both ministers announced their intention to finalize the document. Hussein described the relationship between Iraq and Turkey as “historic,” and said that “Minister Fidan’s visit to Baghdad is focused on the issue of water, which is of mutual importance to both countries.”

Fidan called the agreement “the first of its kind,” saying it reflects Turkey’s full support for Iraq in “security, stability, development, and reconstruction.”

The deal builds on discussions that began two years ago and follows an earlier meeting on Oct. 11, when Iraq’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the agreement was designed to help address the country’s worst water crisis in eight decades, with reserves at their lowest levels in 80 years due to climate change, drought, and upstream dam projects in Turkey and Iran.

At that time, both ministers confirmed that a joint committee had been working to develop long-term cooperation on water management, with Turkish companies expected to take part in infrastructure projects aimed at improving Iraq’s water resources and ensuring fair distribution of flows across the Tigris and Euphrates basins.