FAO and Salahaddin University hold seminar on WaPOR and sustainable water management

On 3 February 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Salahaddin University–Erbil and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq, organized a seminar titled “Using the WaPOR remote sensing database for sustainable water management.” The event took place at the Cultural and Academic Centre Hall of Salahaddin University in Erbil.

The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr Kamaran Younis, President of Salahaddin University. Participants included Professor Dr Amir Chali, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Kurdistan Regional Government; Dr Sharif Mawloud Sharif, Assistant President of Salahaddin University for Scientific Affairs; Professor Dr Abdulkarim Karim, Dean of the College of Science; Engineer Rahman Khani, Director General of Dams and Water Reservoirs; and Professor Dr Samir J. Bilal, Director General of the Scientific Research Centre of Salahaddin University–Erbil. Members of the WaPOR Project Steering Committee and the WaPOR National Technical Team for the Kurdistan Region also attended.

A distinguished group of university professors, department heads and senior students participated, with total attendance exceeding 237 people.

This seminar is the fourth in a series organized by FAO in Iraqi universities to raise awareness of the WaPOR platform and to strengthen coordination mechanisms that support knowledge exchange among academics and researchers, particularly in the use of WaPOR data for scientific research and development.

Panel discussion

The seminar featured a panel discussion moderated by Assistant Professor Dr Huner Al‑Khayyat, Director of the Environmental Monitoring and Climate Change Unit at Salahaddin University. Panelists included: 

• Dr Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq
• Dr Zida Muhammed Karim, Director General of Planning and Follow-up, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources
• Ms Aseel Nadhim Abdulhameed, WaPOR National Coordinator in Iraq
• Assistant Professor Dr Heman Abdulkhaleq Ahmed, Member of the project’s technical committee

The panel explored the uses and applications of the WaPOR platform in Iraq, focusing on the challenges and opportunities related to water management and climate‑smart agriculture. In addition, Ms Aseel Nadhim Abdulhameed and Professor Dr Heman Abdulkhaleq Ahmed delivered technical presentations on the WaPOR portal, its datasets and opportunities for capacity development to enhance water productivity in the agricultural sector.

Closing and recognition

The event concluded with a recognition ceremony for the FAO Representative in Iraq, presented by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Panel members also received certificates of appreciation presented by the President of Salahaddin University.