Latest news with #Torhanal-Mufti
Rudaw Net
11-03-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraq is among the 15 most climate-affected countries globally: PM advisor
Also in Iraq Iraq to face crisis as US ends energy waiver: Former OPEC spox Iraq's deputy finance minister resigns over Kurdistan Region's grievances US urges Iraq to work with KRG on paying energy companies' debts Iraq moves to boost electricity output as US ends Iran energy waiver A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi prime minister's advisor on water affairs stated that Iraq is experiencing a 'phase of water scarcity,' exacerbated by dire climate conditions, unregulated groundwater management, and heavy dependence on neighboring countries for water inflows. Torhan al-Mufti told Rudaw in an interview that 'Iraq is among the 15 most climate-affected countries globally,' adding that the country is going through a period of water scarcity but has not slid into drought yet. Iraq's water mainly comes from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, with 75 percent sourced from neighboring Iran and Turkey, and 20 to 25 percent from internal sources. While Iran affects water flow through rivers like the Karun and Karkheh, Turkey controls the headwaters via dams like the Ataturk Dam. Iraq lacks a comprehensive water-sharing agreement with both countries. Mufti noted that water inflows into the Tigris basin have 'approximately doubled' compared to two years ago due to an agreement signed between Ankara and Baghdad. 'I am not saying the water inflows are sufficient, but they are notably better and this improvement is a direct result of the agreement with Turkey,' he noted, underscoring that the deal 'spans multiple years' and covers the Euphrates River as well. Inflows to the Tigris River have also been significantly higher, he added. The advisor explained that water imports from Iran range between 13-15 percent annually and that the flows 'solely' into the Tigris basin. Mufti attributed the limited water inflow from Iran to the 1975 Algiers Agreement, which he says Iran 'insists' is valid. Iran and Iraq signed the Algiers Agreement to settle border disputes among them, particularly over the Shatt al-Arab waterway located at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The agreement shaped the demarcation of borders and influenced water resource management between the two states. Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein unilaterally rescinded the agreement in 1980, reclaiming what he said were Iraqi territories lost to Iran. The issue was one of the reasons that led to the outbreak of the 1980 war with Iran that lasted for eight years. 'Approximately 35 to 40 percent of Iraq's border with Iran consists of drought-prone regions,' the advisor of the Iraqi prime minister said, adding that several small rivers and streams that used to flow from Iran into Iraq have dried up. Mufti additionally explained that Iraq needs between 50 to 90 billion cubic meters of water annually, noting that so long as rainfall water and regional inflows do not fall below this threshold 'Iraq's water situation remains manageable.' The advisor to the prime minister additionally explained that Iraq does not currently suffer from a water shortage for daily usage and agricultural irrigation, adding that it 'maintains a stable water balance' but in scarcity season Iraq might experience reduced plantation and cultivation. 'While dam levels are not currently at their maximum, they are sufficient,' he explained. Concerning groundwater, Mufti said that while Iraq possesses substantial groundwater reserves, 'unregulated extraction poses a challenge.' Over-extraction in a specific area can deplete the entire water table causing wells to dry up, he said, adding that Iraq's water resources ministry 'shut down around 150 wells' in southern Iraq 'due to their negative impact on groundwater levels.' Of note, the United Nations Global Environment Outlook 6 (GEO-6) ranked Iraq as the fifth most vulnerable country globally to reduced water availability and extreme temperatures, based on data from 2020 to 2021.
Rudaw Net
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq among top 15 countries most affected by climate change: PM advisor
Also in Iraq Iraq's future water availability at risk: Panelists Iraq continues to face interference in its internal affairs: Iraqi Speaker Iraqi PM seeks 'new page' with oil companies operating in Kurdistan Iraqi President reaffirms Iraq's role as regional stabilizer A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq on water stated on Thursday that Iraq is among the top 15 most impacted countries globally by climate change but hoped that the country will have sufficient water resources this year. Speaking to Rudaw on the sidelines of the Erbil Forum 2025, Torhan al-Mufti, said that while regional countries are bearing the brunt of climate change, its impact on Iraq is 'greater than in other countries.' Despite Iraq being 'one of the 15 countries most affected by climate change,' Mufti noted that water releases from neighboring countries 'have increased compared to previous years,' with releases into the Tigris River now 'twice as they were in past years.' He also highlighted that Baghdad 'lacks a clear agreement with neighboring countries,' namely Iran and Turkey, 'regarding water distribution.' Iraq's water mainly comes from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, with 75 percent sourced from neighboring Iran and Turkey, and 20 to 25 percent from internal sources. While Iran affects water flow through rivers like the Karun and Karkheh, Turkey controls the headwaters via dams like the Ataturk Dam. Iraq lacks a comprehensive water-sharing agreement with both countries. Accordingly, water scarcity is a critical issue in Iraq, threatening all aspects of society. According to the United Nations Global Environment Outlook 6 (GEO-6), Iraq is the fifth most vulnerable country globally to reduced water availability and extreme temperatures, based on data from 2020–2021. While anticipating that 'the region and Iraq, in general, will still face a water shortage,' the prime minister's advisor hoped that 'things will improve in spring,' when 'water resources are typically peak due to the 'thawing of snow' in the Kurdistan Region, Iran, and Turkey. Earlier in the day, Mufti participated in the Erbil Forum 2025's panel on climate change and its impact on human rights violations in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. During the panel, Mufti explained that 'Iraq is not at drought levels, but is close due to water scarcity,' stressing that '75 percent of its water comes from neighboring upstream countries' while only '20 to 25 percent is from within Iraq.' Mufti highlighted 'the importance of water conservation' by citizens, explaining that 15 percent of the country's water resources are used domestically and 85 percent is allocated for agriculture. He additionally explained that current dams in Iraq are sufficient, with capacity for 170 billion cubic meters of water, and there is no need to build more. The three-day Erbil Forum 2025, organized by Rudaw Research Center, is taking place at the Rotana Hotel in the Kurdistan Region's capital. The event features speeches, interviews, and panel discussions focusing on key regional and global political issues.
Rudaw Net
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq's future water availability at risk: Panelists
Also in Iraq Iraq continues to face interference in its internal affairs: Iraqi Speaker Iraqi PM seeks 'new page' with oil companies operating in Kurdistan Iraqi President reaffirms Iraq's role as regional stabilizer Germany supports Yazidi return to Shingal: Consul General A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq is not currently experiencing a drought; however, it requires 90 billion cubic meters of water annually. Amid rising climate change risks, predicting future water availability has become increasingly difficult, placing women at higher risk of harm, panelists discussed on the second day of the Erbil Forum 2025. On the second day of the three-day event, panelists discussed key agendas, including climate change and its impact on human rights violations in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Most of Iraq's central and southern areas are suffering from drought, and the whole country has seen less rainfall in January compared to the same period last year, the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture announced in late January. 'We still are not in a drought period. We are in a poor period, but we are just a step before going into a drought period," regarding the water budget in Iraq, Torhan al-Mufti, an advisor to the Iraqi prime minister on water. 'If we have a good season, it means we will need 90 billion cubic meters per year. In a poor season or drought, we will need 50 billion.' This year has seen adequate rainfall, whereas the past four years had been marked by scarce precipitation, approaching drought conditions, he added. Zaki Shubber, a lawyer and international expert in freshwater law and conflict resolution, emphasized that most of the products we use are closely tied to water resources. She also underscored the critical importance of water and the significant role climate change plays in its availability and sustainability. 'It is the unpredictability of water availability in climate change that no longer allows us to model and forecast how much water is going to be available. We have erratic precipitation patterns, so rainfall comes at different times in different quantities and in different places,' Shubber told the Erbil event, which is being organized by Rudaw Research Center. Shubber emphasized the significant role of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in supplying Iraq's water resources and highlighted the high risk of their decline due to ongoing climate challenges. Climate change and environmental challenges are global issues that impact everyone, she said. 'When we talk about water, everyone will say how important it is, how we need to value it and how we need to respect it, but when it comes to taking action, it is often more complicated. When it comes to putting money into the projects the measures that we need to address on certainty and all the other issues that affect water because it is a factor that comes amongst many other factors affecting water and that certainly affects the demand for water not just the supply of water but we have to go beyond talking about it we have to go beyond saying that we will do something and actually do something and put the financing that is needed,' she added. When facing environmental crises, comes economic challenges as well and as a result, women are disproportionately affected, as coping mechanisms within families often include early marriage and restricted access to education and healthcare services, Sheri Kraham Talabani President and Co-Founder of SEED Foundation, said during the panel. 'Women and girls are fourteen times more likely to be harmed during environmental disasters; at least 60% of the deaths in an environmentally related extreme climate event are women,' Talabani added. In countries like Iraq, women and girls face greater challenges in coping with disasters due to limited access to resources, information, and support, making them disproportionately affected by such crises, she emphasized.
