Position Paper
Committee: Environment Assembly
Country: Iraq
Topic: Aral Sea Issue
Introduction
The Aral Sea problem is one of the most severe environmental and humanitarian
crises in the world. The Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake in the world, has shrunk
by more than 90% since the 1960s due to the diversion of its main inflowing rivers,
the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya, for irrigation purposes. The consequences of this
drastic change have been devastating for the region and beyond. The Aral Sea basin,
which covers parts of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and
Afghanistan, has suffered from ecological degradation, loss of biodiversity, climate
change, water scarcity, food insecurity, health problems, economic decline and social
unrest. These problems have affected millions of people living in the area, as well as
neighbouring countries and the global community. Therefore, the Aral Sea problem
requires urgent attention and action from all stakeholders involved. The purpose of
this paper is to present the position of Iraq on the Aral Sea problem and to propose
some solutions to address it. Iraq is a country that has close geographical,
economic, social and political ties with the Aral Sea basin countries, especially
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Iraq also has interests and concerns regarding the Aral
Sea problem, such as water security, regional stability, trade, energy, health and
human rights. Iraq has been actively participating in regional and international
efforts to solve the Aral Sea problem, such as providing humanitarian and technical
assistance, supporting scientific research and environmental protection. Iraq
believes that solving the Aral Sea problem is not only a moral duty, but also a
strategic necessity for the benefit of the region and the world.
Position of Iraq
Iraq is a country that shares a common history, culture and religion with the Aral Sea
basin countries. Iraq also has strong economic and political relations with them,
especially with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Iraq imports oil and gas from
Kazakhstan and exports agricultural products to Uzbekistan. Iraq also cooperates
with them on security issues, such as combating terrorism and extremism in the
region. Therefore, Iraq has a stake in the stability and prosperity of the Aral Sea basin
countries. Iraq is also a country that faces water challenges similar to those of the
Aral Sea basin countries. Iraq depends on two major rivers, the Tigris and the
Euphrates, for its water supply. However, these rivers have been affected by
upstream dams, diversions and pollution from neighbouring countries such as
Turkey, Syria and Iran. Iraq also suffers from water shortages, droughts, salinization
and desertification due to climate change and mismanagement. Therefore, Iraq
understands the importance of water security for its own survival and development.
Iraq is also a country that cares about the human rights and dignity of the people
living in the Aral Sea basin. Iraq has witnessed firsthand the horrors of war, violence
and displacement that have plagued its own population for decades. Iraq also
recognizes the suffering and hardship that the Aral Sea problem has caused to
millions of people in terms of health, livelihoods and well-being. Therefore, Iraq
sympathises with the plight of the people living in the Aral Sea basin and supports
their aspirations for a better future. Iraq is also a country that respects the principles
and goals of the United Nations. Iraq is a founding member of the UN and a
signatory to many international conventions and treaties on human rights,
environment, development and cooperation. Iraq also adheres to the UN Charter and
its core values of peace, justice and solidarity. Therefore, Iraq believes that solving
the Aral Sea problem is in line with its obligations and commitments as a responsible
member of the international community.
Problems
The Aral Sea problem is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires
comprehensive and coordinated solutions from all parties involved. The main
challenges and obstacles to solving the Aral Sea problem are:
● Lack of political will: The Aral Sea basin countries have different priorities,
interests and perspectives on how to address the Aral Sea problem. They also
have conflicting claims over water resources and territorial boundaries. There
is no effective regional mechanism or institution to facilitate dialogue and
cooperation among them .
● Lack of coordination: The Aral Sea problem involves multiple sectors and
actors, such as agriculture, industry, energy, health, environment, civil society
and international organisations. However, there is no clear division of roles
and responsibilities among them. There is also no common vision or strategy
to guide their actions .
● Lack of funding: The Aral Sea problem requires substantial financial resources
to implement various projects and programs, such as improving irrigation
efficiency, restoring the Aral Sea ecosystem, providing alternative livelihoods
and improving health services. However, the Aral Sea basin countries have
limited economic capacities and face competing demands for their budgets.
The international donors and partners have also been reluctant or unable to
provide adequate and sustained support .
● Lack of data: The Aral Sea problem requires reliable and accurate data and
information to monitor and evaluate the situation and the impacts of the
interventions. However, the Aral Sea basin countries have insufficient or
outdated data and information systems. They also lack the technical skills
and equipment to collect and analyse data. There is also a lack of
transparency and sharing of data and information among them .
● Lack of technology: The Aral Sea problem requires innovative and appropriate
technologies to address the various aspects of the problem, such as water
conservation, desalination, renewable energy, biotechnology and waste
management. However, the Aral Sea basin countries have limited access to or
adoption of such technologies. They also face legal, institutional and cultural
barriers to technology transfer and diffusion .
● Lack of public awareness: The Aral Sea problem requires the participation and
support of the public and the stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and
effectiveness of the solutions. However, the public and the stakeholders have
low levels of awareness and understanding of the Aral Sea problem and its
causes and consequences. They also have low levels of trust and confidence
in the authorities and the institutions involved.
Solutions
● Enhancing dialogue and cooperation among the Aral Sea basin countries and
other stakeholders: This can be done by establishing or strengthening
regional platforms or mechanisms for consultation, negotiation, coordination
and collaboration on water-related issues. Such platforms or mechanisms can
help to build trust, resolve disputes, harmonise policies, align interests and
mobilise resources among the parties involved . Examples of such platforms
or mechanisms are the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), the
Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) and the Interstate
Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD).
● Mobilising resources and expertise from the international community: This
can be done by engaging or attracting more international donors and partners
to provide financial, technical or humanitarian assistance to address the Aral
Sea problem. Such assistance can help to fill the gaps or complement the
efforts of the Aral Sea basin countries in implementing various projects and
programs. Such assistance can also help to leverage more domestic
resources or investments from the public or private sectors . Examples of
such donors or partners are the United Nations (UN), the World Bank (WB), the
Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Union (EU) and various
non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
● Implementing integrated water management and conservation practices: This
can be done by adopting or promoting more efficient and sustainable use of
water resources in various sectors, such as agriculture, industry, energy,
health and environment. Such practices can help to reduce water withdrawals,
increase water productivity, prevent water losses, protect water quality and
enhance water security . Examples of such practices are drip irrigation, crop
rotation, water metering, water pricing, water recycling, water harvesting and
watershed management.
● Restoring and rehabilitating the Aral Sea ecosystem: This can be done by
implementing or supporting measures to restore or improve the ecological
conditions and functions of the Aral Sea and its surrounding areas. Such
measures can help to mitigate or reverse some of the negative impacts of the
Aral Sea shrinkage on biodiversity, climate, soil, air and human health .
Examples of such measures are damming or diverting part of the Syr Darya
river to create a small northern lake (the North Aral Sea), planting trees or
shrubs to stabilise sand dunes or reduce dust storms (the Green Belt Project),
creating artificial wetlands or wildlife reserves to conserve flora or fauna (the
Biosphere Reserve Project) and cleaning up or removing toxic substances
from contaminated sites (the Anthrax Island Project).
● Improving the living conditions of the affected population: This can be done
by providing or facilitating access to basic services and opportunities for the
people living in the Aral Sea basin. Such services and opportunities can help
to improve their health, education, livelihoods, well-being and resilience .
Examples of such services and opportunities are health care, sanitation and
fresh water supply
Bibliography
1. https://www.britannica.com/place/Aral-Sea
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aral_Sea
3. https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2020/09/18/water-politics-and-the-human-geogr
aphies-of-the-aral-sea-crisis-2/
