Tackling Iraq's Water Crisis – AHK Iraq & UNICEF Joint Report
Sustainable Water Management for Iraq’s Future
AHK Iraq, in collaboration with UNICEF Iraq, has released a joint report analyzing Iraq’s escalating water scarcity and offering policy and technical solutions for a climate-resilient water future.
This publication follows the Policy Roundtable on Sustainable Water Management held in December 2025, and addresses the pressing impacts of drought, infrastructure deterioration, and poor water governance.
Iraq’s Water Crisis – Key Findings
- National water reserves have dropped below 4 BCM, the lowest in 80+ years
- Over 6 million cubic meters of untreated sewage are dumped daily
- 50% of households have contaminated water
- 3 out of 5 Iraqi children lack access to safe sanitation
These conditions directly threaten health, livelihoods, food security, and economic stability
What the Report Covers
1. National and Sectoral Challenges
- Declining inflows from upstream countries
- Infrastructure collapse and over-extraction
- Severe desertification, pollution, and salinization
2. Policy Recommendations
- Strengthen national water legislation
- Apply effective water diplomacy
- Adopt decentralized and smart water governance
3. Technical Solutions
- Diversify sources: desalination, wastewater reuse
- Introduce smart monitoring (SCADA, leak detection)
- Scale up renewable-powered water systems
4. National Vision: Iraq NDC 3.0 (2025–2035)
- Strategic roadmap aligned with SDG 6, National Water Strategy, and GCF targets
- Estimated investment need: USD 31.9 billion
- Targets for water efficiency, reuse, wastewater treatment, and methane recovery
Business & Collaboration Opportunities
German and Iraqi companies are invited to contribute with:
- Smart water metering and leak detection
- Renewable-powered water infrastructure
- Industrial wastewater treatment
- Capacity building and digital water monitoring
