This legislative review examines the Draft Law on the National Water Council which was submitted to the first reading in the Iraqi Council of Representatives in April 2026. through relevant international standards and comparative water-governance practices. Drawing on integrated water resources management principles, the OECD Principles on Water Governance, Sustainable Development Goal 6, and approaches reflected in the UN Watercourses and UNECE Water Conventions to present analysis and recommendations. IILHR identifies key institutional and legislative gaps and translates these standards into practical recommendations for strengthening coordination, accountability, participation, and sustainable water governance in Iraq.