At the 2nd Mesopotamia Water Forum held in Amed, participants developed proposals addressing the obstruction of access to water, ecological destruction, and the protection of water resources.
The 2nd Mesopotamia Water Forum (MWF), organized to protect water resources, defend the right to water, and ensure ecological justice, continued on its third day at the ÇandAmed Congress and Culture Center. During the event, proposals from two days of forum and workshop discussions were shared. Many international guests, ecology activists, representatives of civil society organizations, and political parties attended the forum.
On the third day and last day of the forum, participants presented their suggestions and measures to be taken in the future. Following the discussion of proposals, it was announced that the final declaration would be released ten days later, incorporating the collected views.
Throughout the three-day discussions, participants emphasized that water is not a scarce resource, but rather that the main issue lies in the unequal access to it. A proposal to recognize rivers as “living entities” received strong support. Participants stated that this approach represents not only a legal struggle but also the beginning of a broader social movement. Representatives from Iraq reported that 80 percent of the country’s water resources had diminished, leading to the displacement of millions. Participants from North and East Syria stated that water cuts constitute a violation of the right to life, and proposed the formation of a delegation to establish democratic pressure mechanisms concerning the Allouk Water Station. Representatives from Turkey drew attention to the impacts of dams, mining, and energy projects on water resources. The forum also highlighted the sacredness of water in Yazidi, Zoroastrian, and Nestorian beliefs.
The main proposals forming the framework of the final declaration were listed as follows:
- Develop new policies against mining activities in river basins.
- Draft international agreements to protect the right to water, ensuring that such agreements are implemented with the direct participation of local communities, and establish relevant commissions.
- Create common digital platforms that allow people to connect quickly.
- Develop shared policies against the pressure of industrial livestock farming on water resources.
- Collect accurate data on water among communities and establish joint research commissions.
- Form a delegation to build democratic pressure mechanisms regarding the Allouk Water Station in Rojava.
- Collect accurate data on water among communities and establish joint research commissions.
The forum’s slogan was “Water is life, water is peace.”
After the conclusion of the forum, participants from various regions visited historical and cultural sites in Amed, including Cemilpaşa Mansion, the Dengbêj House, Fiskaya, the Ten Arches Bridge, and Mount Kırklar.
