Iraqi President, FAO Strengthen Partnership on Food Security & Water Management

Iraqi Presidency

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid and Qu Dongyu, the Director-General of FAO.

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid and Qu Dongyu, the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on food security and sustainable water management in Iraq.

During high-level talks at Baghdad Palace, both sides underscored the urgent need for innovative solutions and regional collaboration to address the country’s pressing agricultural and environmental challenges, particularly in the face of climate change and declining water resources.

President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid received Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, along with his accompanying delegation, at Baghdad Palace to discuss enhancing cooperation on Iraq’s agricultural and environmental challenges, the Iraqi Presidency announced on Sunday, 25 May 2025.

According to the statement, the meeting centred on expanding technical collaboration between Iraq and the FAO, with a strong focus on improving seed quality, preserving soil fertility, enhancing food security, and modernising agricultural practices. Both parties stressed the importance of knowledge exchange and the adoption of innovative technical solutions to address these national priorities.

President Rashid reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to implementing UN recommendations on sustainable water management, including reducing water waste and fostering stronger cooperation with neighbouring countries to safeguard shared water resources and the environment.

“Climate change is having a devastating impact on our region, particularly on Iraq,” President Rashid stated. “We are witnessing a sharp decline in water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates, increasing droughts, and expanding desertification — all of which pose severe threats to our agricultural future.”

He emphasised the urgent need for regional cooperation to resolve the water crisis, declaring: “We must work closely with our neighbours and rely on international frameworks to ensure a fair and sustainable distribution of water — a vital resource for our survival and long-term stability.”

President Rashid reiterated Iraq’s determination to secure its rightful share of water resources while promoting sustainable and equitable governance of water.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu praised Iraq’s progress in agriculture and infrastructure and reiterated the FAO’s continued commitment to supporting Iraq across a wide range of areas within its mandate.

Also present at the meeting were Dr Abdul Hakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, and Dr Salah El-Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq.



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