The President: The water crisis in Iraq represents a threat to food security

Baghdad / NINA / - The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, affirmed: "The water crisis in Iraq represents a threat to food security and leaves great risks."

 In a speech at the Water Conference in New York, he said: "The transboundary water is not sufficient to meet the needs of Iraq, and the reduction of water flow has caused the worst water crisis in Iraq's modern history."

The president added: the worsening drought threatens the Iraqi people and the country's economy. 

Rashid said in a speech at the Water Conference in New York: "Desertification threatens 40% of Iraq's area, and the basic water resources continue to decline because of the water policies of neighboring countries."

 He added: "It is expected that Iraq's water needs will increase in the next decade due to population growth."

Rashid appealed to the United Nations to take serious measures to reduce the effects of climate change in Iraq.

 The President said: "The Iraqi government is coordinating with the countries of the region to confront climate change, and we must work with neighboring countries through agreements and commitments to ensure a fair share of water."

 He added: "Iraq is implementing a strict plan for water management and is working to develop effective and implementable plans for managing water resources."/ End