President Erdogan Highlights Global Water Disputes
Istanbul, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has underscored the growing significance of water disputes as a major catalyst for conflicts globally. Speaking on Friday at an agricultural meeting organized by Turkish state-run lender Ziraat Bank in Istanbul, Erdogan remarked, “Many conflicts in Asia, America, northern Africa, and the Middle East stem from disputes over water sources.”
Erdogan highlighted the exacerbating impact of climate change, noting that water sources and reservoirs are increasingly becoming contentious areas. “Due to the adverse effects of climate change, water sources and reservoirs are becoming areas of conflict,” he stated.
In his speech, Erdogan also addressed the Black Sea grain deal brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations between Russia and Ukraine in 2022. He emphasized the deal’s crucial role in averting famine, particularly in African nations. “If it weren’t for the Black Sea grain deal, led by Türkiye, many areas would have suffered from famine, particularly African countries,” he asserted.
The president pointed out Türkiye’s significant contribution to global food security during challenging times. “We prevented the situation from getting worse by ensuring passage of 33 million tons of grain through our straits amid the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine,” Erdogan said, highlighting Türkiye’s strategic role in maintaining stability and preventing food shortages.
Erdogan’s remarks bring attention to the urgent need for cooperative water management and the importance of international agreements in mitigating the impacts of global crises on food security.
