The Iraqi News Agency (INA) has released exclusive details on the newly signed mechanism for implementing the water cooperation framework between Iraq and Turkey, marking a significant milestone in bilateral efforts to address regional water scarcity.

According to INA, the mechanism outlines procedures for executing strategic water projects under the Framework Agreement for Cooperation in the Water Sector, signed during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Iraq on April 22, 2024. The agreement, described as “a turning point in relations between the two countries,” aims to foster partnership and integration in water management, improve water quality, and reclaim land impacted by climate change.

The mechanism builds on earlier agreements, including a 2014 water cooperation pact between Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources and Turkey’s Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, which officially took effect in 2021 but faced “numerous challenges that have prevented the implementation of most of its provisions.”

After more than a year of negotiations, the finalized implementation mechanism was signed on November 2, 2025. It includes a methodology for executing key projects nominated by Iraqi government entities, such as:

• Improving water quality and curbing river pollution
• Advancing irrigation methods and technologies
• Reclaiming agricultural land
• Enhancing water governance and promoting rational use

The mechanism is anchored in five core principles:

1. Joint Planning: A bilateral advisory team will identify and prioritize water projects based on Iraqi requests.
2. Transparent Competition: Iraqi authorities will announce projects for competitive bidding among Turkish firms, with local Iraqi companies participating. A specialized committee will oversee financing decisions and report progress to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. Oil-Based Financing: Projects will be funded through oil sales, with pricing aligned to international benchmarks. If Iraqi oil is resold in European markets, Iraq will receive 65% of profits exceeding global prices.
4. SOMO Oversight: Oil transactions will follow procedures set by Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO).
5. Activation Clause: The mechanism becomes effective once the water agreement enters into force.

The agreement signals a new phase of cooperation between Iraq and Turkey, with INA emphasizing its strategic importance for sustainable water management and regional stability.