Dr. Muntasir Shareef Highlights AI and Regional Resilience at Baghdad Water Conference
International Dialogue in Iraq Spotlights Smart Water Solutions, Climate Challenges, and Innovation
Baghdad, April 27–29, 2025 – The Iraqi capital hosted one of the region’s most pivotal water-related events this spring: the Fifth International Water Conference, held under the theme “Water and Technology: Partnership for Development” at the Babylon Rotana Hotel. The conference was organized by the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, with international participation from senior policymakers, researchers, and institutions—most notably the Italian engineering firm STECC and the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID).
Among the key participants was Dr. Muntasir Shareef, who contributed significantly to the conference’s thematic dialogue on climate-smart water management, regional cooperation, and technological innovation, offering perspectives grounded in both scientific understanding and on-the-ground application.
A Strategic Gathering for Shared Water Futures
The conference brought together Arab ministers, regional government officials, international organizations, and leading academic and engineering experts. It aimed to elevate regional and international cooperation in managing shared water resources in light of worsening climate conditions and growing water scarcity.
The event also featured the 11th Micro Irrigation Conference under the auspices of ICID, further emphasizing the importance of modern irrigation systems, precision agriculture, and sustainable technologies in arid and semi-arid climates like Iraq.
Dr. Muntasir Shareef’s Intervention: Bridging Innovation and Regional Strategy
In a session that addressed the adaptation of global case studies to local contexts, Dr. Muntasir Shareef delivered key insights on how lessons learned from a project implemented by an Italian company—under similar hydro-climatic conditions—could be effectively adapted to Iraq’s water sector.
His remarks underscored the importance of contextualizing imported knowledge, ensuring that technological solutions are tailored to Iraq’s environmental, social, and political landscape.
Dr. Muntasir also stressed the urgency of building a dynamic and adaptive national strategy that keeps pace with the rapid changes brought about by climate variability. His intervention emphasized artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative tool in water management, irrigation monitoring, and predictive modeling, helping to maximize the impact of limited water resources in agriculture and urban infrastructure.
“Our contribution brought forward a new dimension in linking technology, governance, and sustainability, not just for Iraq but for the broader region. We must think beyond conventional tools and embrace AI-driven and data-informed frameworks that can evolve with the climate,” said Dr. Shareef.
Key Themes and International Engagement
Discussions at the conference tackled a wide range of critical topics, including:
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The impact of climate change on Iraq’s river systems and groundwater
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Modernizing irrigation systems through smart technologies
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Regional cooperation for transboundary water management
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Digital transformation in water infrastructure using AI and IoT
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Youth and gender inclusion in rural water innovation
The FAO-backed initiative “Enhancing Climate Resilience for Agricultural Livelihoods in Iraq” was officially launched, as well as a regional initiative to preserve the Tigris and Euphrates rivers—highlighting the conference’s broader commitment to both national and cross-border water challenges.
Outcomes and Policy Recommendations
The conference concluded with a forward-looking set of recommendations:
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Recognizing AI as a strategic national tool for optimizing water resources
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Supporting rural women and youth-led initiatives in water conservation and agriculture
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Developing a national guide to document successful water management practices
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Integrating water sustainability education into national curricula
Multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Iraq and international partners to facilitate the exchange of technical knowledge, technology transfer, and research collaboration in the field of water and environmental engineering.
A Future-Focused Contribution
Through his presence and presentation, Dr. Muntasir Shareef helped frame Iraq’s water future not just in terms of risk mitigation, but also in terms of innovation, resilience, and international cooperation. His contributions echoed the broader conference vision: building smart, inclusive, and climate-resilient water systems in Iraq and across the region.
The conference, opened by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani and the Minister of Water Resources Eng. Aoun Diab Abdullah, reaffirmed Iraq’s national commitment to sustainable development goals (SDG 6) and the integration of technology in solving environmental challenges.