Center stage at COP28: German-Iraqi development cooperation on climate and water security

Titled ‘Climate = Water = Security: solutions to water-related challenges in Iraq’, the panel discussion brought together speakers from government, civil society, the private sector, KfW and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and offered a dynamic opportunity to discuss cooperation as the way forward for Iraq to turn its ambitions for climate-resilient water management into reality. As drought and water scarcity increasingly affect all areas of life, climate resilience and water security are moving up on the agenda of ordinary citizens and the Iraqi government. Accordingly, climate-related topics are becoming more and more relevant across the German Cooperation portfolio in the country. This side event marked a first step to intensify the cooperation in the area of climate change.

Together for climate and water security
Dr Jasim Abdul Azeez Hammadi, Deputy Minister of Environment in Iraq, stressed in his keynote speech that the country needs to make life in the marshlands sustainable. In order to reach this goal, Iraq is in need of international expertise and support in the area of climate change so that people can rest assured their government is there for them. Jochen Flasbarth, Parliamentary Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), emphasised in his reply that Germany stands ready to support Iraq on its journey towards a sustainable future, noting the tremendous potential for renewable energy in the country. 
Both keynote speakers expressed their concern over dwindling water security in the Iraqi marshlands and the need to demonstrate resolve and optimism in the face of climate change. Both also showed genuine enthusiasm and confidence that the two countries can work together on solutions that will not only help contain the water crisis, but protect shared cultural heritage, seeing that Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilisation is endangered. This was echoed by the panelists: the Ministry of Water Resources’ Chief Engineer, Dr Saddam Qahtan Waheed, and Salman Kareem Hamad, representing the Kurdistan Regional Government, stressed the multi-layered causes and effects of water scarcity. Water quality and water availability are closely interlinked, and unfortunately on a downward trend. Both acknowledged that climate change-induced water stress and pollution have been amplified by mismanagement. Importantly, mindsets need to change. Population growth is driving demand for water, yet too much of it is being wasted – in homes and in agriculture. Dr Waheed noted that despite the country facing the fourth consecutive year of drought, changing customary ways of doing things ‘is not an easy task’. 

With water and food security under threat, cooperation beyond much-needed investment would be welcomed to overhaul outdated irrigation practices, create awareness and introduce metering, groundwater recharge and non-traditional water use. Dr Mahdi Ahmad, Managing Director of the Iraqi CSO Bahr Alolom Forum (BAF), commented favorably on Germany’s potential role in supporting dialogue and knowledge transfer. Under its ‘Iraq’s Thirst’ initiative, BAF is pressing ahead with plans to establish a Water Excellence Centre in Iraq and extend research and cooperation with universities. In response, GIZ, KfW and the private sector signaled their readiness to think – and act – outside narrowly defined ‘water’ projects. Whilst infrastructure investments have mainly targeted the North of the country to date, substantial funding has recently been committed by the two countries for a water treatment plant in the drought-afflicted Southern governorate of Muthanna. More than 200,000 people are expected to benefit from safe and reliable water services by 2025.

Following this well-received event, GIZ is looking forward to reflecting the arguments put forward during the panel discussion back into ongoing conversations in Iraq. Climate change is increasingly shaping the context in which stakeholder dialogue and participation are taking place. Especially for Iraqi youth and women, whose voice GIZ is championing in future dialogues, pushing for transformative change opens the prospect of a climate-resilient future.