Turkish, Saudi and Pakistani officials discuss implementing Mecca agreement

Officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan met in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss the next steps for implementing the recently signed water‑sharing pact over the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. The three delegations, led by Turkey’s Minister of Environment and Urbanization, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Water and Agriculture, and Pakistan’s Minister of Water Resources, reviewed the agreement’s provisions on water allocation, monitoring mechanisms and dispute‑resolution procedures.

The meeting focused on establishing a joint technical committee to oversee data collection, enforce agreed‑upon flow rates and coordinate emergency responses to drought or flood events. Participants also examined the financial framework for infrastructure projects and agreed to schedule a follow‑up summit in six months to assess progress. The leaders underscored the pact’s importance for regional stability and water security, noting that the collaboration could serve as a model for other transboundary river basins.