A strategic resource more valuable than energy. The Turkish president has identified a new source of conflict

The battles that took place in the last century over oil and fuel will soon be fought over water. Looking at the conflicts around us, we already see signs of this, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.

“In a century where competition for power in every field is intensifying, the most strategic and valuable resource, as well as the main element of production and energy, is water,” Erdogan said, quoted by the Hurriyet daily.

The Turkish president drew attention to the pressure on water resources caused by climate change, drought, population growth, rapid urbanization and industrialization. He noted that while the global average annual rainfall is 990 millimeters, Turkey receives only 574 millimeters.

“This situation shows us that we have an obligation to protect, effectively use and properly manage our water resources before they reach the point of depletion,” Erdogan said.

He appealed to citizens and institutions to save water and use it responsibly. “We must be careful not to waste not only tap water, but also river water,” he added.

The President recalled that since 2002, 805 dams, over 500 artificial reservoirs, and almost 2,000 irrigation facilities and almost 400 water treatment points. In total, Ankara's efforts increased the country's storage capacity by 896 million cubic meters. (PAP)

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