The mission of the Water Resource Ministry (MOWR) provides Integrated Water Resources Management to the citizen of Iraq. As the steward of this vital resource, the Ministry strives to balance the competing demands of irrigation, municipal and industrial water supply, hydropower, flood control and environmental requirements including marsh restoration. The goal of the Ministry is to transform and modernize the MOWR into a dynamic and efficient organization that meets current requirements and optimizes future utilization of the diminishing water resources of the Nation. Focus areas of improvement include improved operation and maintenance of water control structures and pump stations, efficient management of water through conservation and optimization, and comprehensive approach to project approval that considers environmental impacts, competing demands, and public involvement.

The MOWR formerly the Ministry of Irrigation is the supplier of raw or untreated water to the nation .The Ministry's 9 large dams. 18 major barrages, 275 pump stations and 140 land reclamation projects comprise one of the most complex water distribution systems in the world. Over 90 percent of the nation's water is used to irrigate 3,25 million hectares of land throughout Iraq. Mechanical equipment, such as pump stations and back up generators, are individual pumps is Less than 60 percent.

The water resources infrastructure in Iraq suffered damage after the war due to looting and vandalism; however, the overall functionality of the system itself was not significantly affected. Severe damage and looting was however .inflicted at several remote project sites and virtually every office. All of the Ministry's commissions and the Headquarters lost everything – data files computers furniture, vehicles and heavy equipment. What wasn't taken was vandalized or burned.

Application of technology in the MOWR lags the rest of the world by several decades .the former regime’s indifference to science and engineering , combined with 12 years of sanctions .deprived gifted engineers and scientists of opportunities to collaborate and apply emerging technologies . Many major project decisions were political rather than technically driven solution developed to solve a problem or benefit the population. Criteria such as the consideration of the environment, public involvement and economic analysis in decision –making were ignored.

The destruction of the Mesopotamian marshes is an environmental and humanitarian travesty of large proportion .the former regime drained over 90 percent of the original 20.000 square kilometers that made up the hawizeh .central and ham mar marshes. Many thousands of people were driven from their homes and livelihood .the ministry of water resources will assume a leading role in restoring this national treasure to the extent possible.

Donor contributions will play a significant role in providing the critical resources for the ministry to meet its objectives and goals to sustain reliable water recourses for Iraq.