Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning Dr. Khaled Battal Al-Najm participated in the round table meeting convened by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan regarding the United Nations Water Conference for 2023

H.E. Dr Alnajam gave an intervention in which he indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the crucial importance of water, as access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene were among the first lines of defense in the absence of a vaccine, especially in many developing countries.

Adding, the human rights to water and sanitation must be promoted, protected and fulfilled at all times.

The sixth goal of the sustainable development goals is a priority for Iraq, taking into account that most of the water resources come from outside the borders of Iraq.

Iraq spares no effort in urging all stakeholders to engage in dialogue to discuss this important topic, the latest of which was the Second Baghdad Water Conference under the slogan “Water and Climate Change” held from 5-7 March 2022, which serves as a regional platform for discussing water issues and focusing Its vision is to achieve a sustainable and integrated management of water resources while facing the effects of climate change through strengthening coordination and joint cooperation between and among riparian countries.

On February 7, 2022, Baghdad hosted the thirty-sixth session of the World Food Conference for the Near East and North Africa, where Iraq raised the issue of water, agriculture and sustainable development.

His Excellency the Minister stressed the paramount importance that the upcoming United Nations conference on water shed light on the need for sustainable management of transboundary water resources.