Iraq reviews salinity strategy, Shatt al-Arab saltwater intrusion plans

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Minister of Water Resources, Mohsen al-Tamimi, chaired a meeting to assess the outcomes of his recent visit to Basra, the ministry said in a statement. The talks focused on updating a strategic study of Iraq's water and land resources and on projects to address salinity in the Shatt al-Arab waterway and curb the advance of saltwater. A consortium of consulting firms delivered a detailed presentation on the activities and progress rates under the two studies, the ministry said. Participants also discussed the next steps needed to complete implementation requirements and to adhere to the agreed timetable. Al-Tamimi stressed the importance of both strategic projects in light of the water challenges facing the country, according to the statement. The projects are designed to support sustainable water management, resolve salinity problems, and limit the rise of saltwater in the Shatt al-Arab. The meeting also underlined the need to strengthen long-term planning for water and land resources and to back national development efforts, the statement added.