Iraqi water minister meets UN food agency representative on water and agriculture cooperation

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Minister of Water Resources Munenna al-Tamimi met with Salah Haj Hassan, the Food and Agriculture Organization's representative in Iraq, the ministry said. The meeting covered cooperation on water resource management, the development of modern irrigation techniques and joint efforts to address climate change and water scarcity. Al-Tamimi said partnerships with international organizations were important to advancing strategic projects, adding that work was needed to use water more efficiently, balance consumption and increase agricultural output. He also called for monitoring modern irrigation methods in the field and encouraging farmers to adopt them. Haj Hassan said the FAO would continue to support its development programs in Iraq, particularly in the water and agriculture sectors, according to the ministry. Both sides stressed the need to strengthen capacity to meet environmental and climate-related challenges, the statement added.