Egypt Warns of ‘Water Scarcity’ at Baghdad International Water Conference

The Egyptian Minister of Water Resources meets his Iraqi counterpart on the sidelines of the Baghdad International Water Conference (Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources)
The Egyptian Minister of Water Resources meets his Iraqi counterpart on the sidelines of the Baghdad International Water Conference (Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources)
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Egypt Warns of ‘Water Scarcity’ at Baghdad International Water Conference

The Egyptian Minister of Water Resources meets his Iraqi counterpart on the sidelines of the Baghdad International Water Conference (Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources)
The Egyptian Minister of Water Resources meets his Iraqi counterpart on the sidelines of the Baghdad International Water Conference (Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources)

Egypt said it is among the countries suffering the most from "water scarcity", noting that increased pressure on limited water resources will lead to the spread of poverty and a decline in the standard of living.

The Egyptian Minister of Water Resources, Mohamed Abdul Ati, participated in the second Baghdad International Water Conference, titled "Water and Climate Change."

Speaking at the "Water Resources Management with Climate Changes" session, the Minister said Egypt suffers from water resources scarcity and needs about 114 billion cubic meters annually, while the available water resources amount to 74 billion cubic meters.

The Nile water accounts for more than 90 percent of Egypt's needs or 55.5 billion cubic meters. It fears water shortage after Ethiopia begins operating the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The Minister focused on the negative impact of climate change, adding that increased pressure on limited water resources would lead to water poverty and a decline in living standards.

He warned that the adverse effects of climate change have become a "reality we are witnessing in many extreme weather conditions" around the world.

Abdul Ati stressed that Egypt and many Arab countries are among the most countries in the world that suffer from water scarcity, which necessitated the development of the policies and the implementation of many significant projects to deal with water challenges.

The Ministry of Irrigation has prepared a plan to manage water in Egypt until 2037 with investments of more than $50 billion, which are expected to increase to $100 billion.

The plan aims to "improve water quality, develop new water resources, rationalize the use of currently available resources, and create a supportive environment for water issues," said the Minister.

The Minister reviewed Egypt's experience in water management through the implementation of many significant projects, such as the rehabilitation of canals, the transformation of modern irrigation systems, and smart irrigation applications.

The ministry also implemented projects to reuse agricultural drainage water, expand seawater desalination projects, rehabilitate water facilities, and increase technology usage in water management.

The ministry also increased its efforts in developing legislations such as the new Water Resources and Irrigation Law and its executive regulations.

A statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources highlighted statements by US presidential envoy for climate, John Kerry, who reiterated the need for upstream countries to cooperate and ensure dam projects will not affect the water needs of downstream countries.

World Food Program (WFP) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Corinne Fleischer lauded the successful Egyptian experience in rehabilitating canals and modern irrigation system conversion, noting the impact of this transformation on increasing the area of ​​cultivated land, reducing water consumption, and increasing farmer's income.



Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
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Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)

Baghdad has been preoccupied this week with serious possibilities that Israel may expand its war on Gaza and Lebanon by striking several targets in Iraq in retaliation to attacks by Iran-backed armed factions.

Concern has been high that Israel may attack government buildings, oil fields and strategic locations, not just the positions of the armed factions that have previously launched attacks against Israel, said sources close to the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework.

Media sources have spoken of government speculation that Iraq could come under “300 Israeli attacks”.

The fears in Iraq have been compounded by an Israeli complaint to the United Nations Security Council against seven armed factions and holding Baghdad responsible for the attacks they have carried out against it.

This prompted the government, through the foreign ministry, to send an official letter to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation in response to the Israeli threats.

The ministry said on Saturday that Iraq is “the cornerstone of stability in the region and world and it is one of the countries that are most committed to the UN Charter.”

“The Zionist entity’s letter to the Security Council is part of a systematic policy aimed at creating claims and excuses in an attempt to expand the conflict in the region.”

It said Iraq has turned to the Security Council out of Iraq’s keenness on the international body carrying out its duty in maintaining international peace and security and the need to rein in the “Zionist aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Moreover, it stressed that Iraq has been keen on exercising restraint when it comes to the use of its airspace to attack a neighboring country.

Israel has used Iraqi airspace to launch attacks against Iran in October.

Iraq underscored the importance of the international community stepping in to “stop this hostile behavior that is a flagrant violation of international law.”

It called for international efforts to stop the Israeli escalation in the region and ensure that international laws and treaties are respected to consolidate security and stability.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Coordination Framework said the main Shiite parties are taking the Israeli threats “very seriously”, urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government to take “all the necessary measures to avert a potential Israeli strike.”

All leaders of armed factions, as well as Shiite leaders, have taken up alternative locations and are moving under great secrecy, confirming that they have changed the majority of their military positions, said the source.

It also dismissed claims that Israeli jets have overflown Iraq, saying nothing has been confirmed, but not ruling out the possibility, especially since US forces have control over Iraqi skies and Iraq is helpless against stopping these violations.

Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN and Security Council over Israel’s use and violation of its airspace to attack Iran.

Analyst and former diplomat Ghazi Faisal said the pro-Iran armed factions have been gathering their forces in the Sinjar province, which is strategic for Iran’s arms deliveries and logistic support to Syria where attacks can be carried out against American forces and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Sinjar is one of the most important strategic bases for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the armed factions insist on continuing the war against Israel, rejecting government calls for calm and neutrality.

The government’s statements are aimed at delivering a message that it “is not directly responsible for the strategy of these factions,” which follow Iran’s policies.

Iraq has repeatedly said that it refuses for its territory to be used to attack another country, but some observers believe that it may allow Iran to do so should Israel strike.