The Baghdad International Water Conference recommends strengthening international cooperation and securing the water needs of riparian countries

The Baghdad International Water Conference recommended strengthening international cooperation and securing the water needs of riparian countries. The Conference condemned what is happening in Gaza and the targeting of water, calling on the international community to stop these crimes. The conference called for strengthening international cooperation in shared river basins in accordance with the principles of international law, respecting the rights and interests of the riparian states on the international river, and ensuring their equitable water needs. It recommended developing the capabilities of technical and legal teams working in the field of international cooperation related to shared waters and establishing a joint coordination center among riparian countries in shared river basins. It also recommended the formulation and enforcement of policies, regulations and laws related to the sustainability of water resources, especially the sixth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, stressing the impo rtance of preserving natural and environmental systems and related World Heritage sites and developing their communities. It stressed the importance of sustainable use of groundwater and ensuring that it is not depleted, and that drinking water has priority in using this resource. The Conference recommended the importance of expanding the use of water harvesting techniques, the use of solar energy in water desalination, the expansion of the safe use of agricultural drainage water, and the expansion of the use of remote sensing techniques and artificial intelligence in developing water resources monitoring and management and monitoring violations. The conference also recommended conducting comprehensive risk assessments to identify vulnerable areas and populations exposed to water-related hazards and establishing an enabling environment for the formation of emerging technology companies that would attract investment and create job opportunities in the areas of maximizing water resources. The conference cal led for creating the appropriate conditions for social innovation and community participation, including involving local communities in designing and implementing projects to maximize water resources in order to promote sustainable solutions from within and to use effective irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and highly efficient sprinklers. The conference recommended the importance of strengthening cooperation and partnership to address the challenges of the interconnection of energy, water, environment and food security. It called for continued follow-up of the implementation of the recommendations of the Third and Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference through the conference secretariat and to come up with a vision of the themes and objectives of the conference in its fifth edition. Source: National Iraqi News Agency