ABSTRACT
The Euphrates-Tigris Basin is one of the major water resources in the Middle East. Originating in Türkiye, the Euphrates and Tigris rivers flow through Syria and Iraq and receive contributions from Iran before meeting in southern Iraq to form the Shatt al-Arab, which eventually flows into the Gulf. Water has long had a central role in the social, cultural, and economic life of the region. This chapter aims to comprehensively evaluate the Euphrates-Tigris Basin, taking into account its unique challenges, encompassing hydrological, economic, social, cultural, and historical aspects. The chapter provides an overview of the hydrometeorological and hydrological situation in the Euphrates-Tigris Basin, which is significantly influenced by climate change. It also reflects Türkiye’s perspective on water cooperation amid the shared threat of climate change in the Basin. The Euphrates-Tigris Basin exemplifies the complexity and potential of transboundary water cooperation, emphasizing the need for technical proficiency, political will, and a shared commitment to realizing prosperity by ensuring the principle that water unites rather than divides.
