A step forward for putting preventive water diplomacy into action in the Middle East
- 30.09.2024
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A step forward for putting preventive water diplomacy into action in the Middle East
Hydropolitical Importance of Türkiye and Iraq Water Framework Agreement for the Future Water Challenge in the Middle East
Shifting paradigm to actionable transboundary water cooperation on the ground
Dursun Yıldız
Director
Hydropolitics Academy -Türkiye
Abstract:
The article discusses the significance of the "Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Water Field" between Türkiye and Iraq, signed in April 2024, as a critical step toward enhancing transboundary water diplomacy in the Middle East. This agreement promotes collaborative water management projects in the Tigris and Euphrates basins. It integrates water resources, security, energy, and trade within a holistic framework, offering a new paradigm for resolving regional water challenges amidst climate change and geopolitical instability.
The agreement reflects a shift towards preventive diplomacy, aiming to mitigate future water-related tensions while addressing Iraq’s water infrastructure needs. The interconnectedness of water, oil, and regional security underscores the importance of this cooperative framework, with broader implications for regional stability and development.
Additionally, the Development Road Project, linking the Gulf to Türkiye via Iraq, is highlighted as a complementary initiative, fostering economic integration and offering alternative supply routes, further solidifying Iraq-Türkiye cooperation and enhancing Middle Eastern geopolitics.
It emphasizes the importance of moving beyond traditional water diplomacy that focuses solely on high-level negotiations, advocating for a model that includes various formal and informal arrangements, adaptive governance, and a focus on mutual benefits.
A key theme is the recognition of water diplomacy as a preventive measure that encompasses not only technical and political dimensions but also integrates economic, environmental, and security considerations. This multifaceted approach promotes collaboration and addresses shared challenges, particularly in the face of climate change and regional instability.
The article underscores that effective water diplomacy requires a continuum of cooperation, from information sharing to joint infrastructure management, ultimately contributing to long-term peace and security in the region.
The Türkiye-Iraq agreement, involving oil-for-water projects, exemplifies this shifting paradigm towards actionable transboundary water cooperation, paving the way for enhanced regional stability and integrated resource management.
Keywords: Preventive Diplomacy, Regional Security, Economic Integration, Development Road Project, Holistic Framework, Middle East,
- Introduction
The "Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Water Field between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Republic of Iraq", signed in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, on April 22, was approved and published in the Official Gazette dated August 16, 2024.
This article examines the importance of a new water framework agreement on the relationships between Turkey and its downstream riparian state, Iraq. This article defines the emerging need for joint management of water resources in the region under the increasing effect of climate change and regional instability.
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