On this Environment Day, UNDP Iraq proudly joined the Ministry of Environment and local partners in celebrating the Ministry’s achievements and partnerships. Organized by the Ministry, Save the Children organization and Bring Hope organization, this event offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on our progress and reaffirm our shared commitment to environmental sustainability in Iraq.

The Minister of Environment, Mr. Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amidi, highlighted the remarkable achievements that have been made since last year, saying, “Among our most significant milestones was our impactful presence at COP28 in Dubai. For the first time, Iraq had its own pavilion, and in collaboration with UNDP and other UN agencies, we presented over 30 important sessions, with impressive attendance. Looking ahead, we are focused on COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where we plan to build on our previous success with UNDP.”

Mr. Amidi added, “Our work extends beyond COP28. Together with UNDP, preparations are underway for the Desertification Conference in Riyadh. This conference addresses one of Iraq's most pressing environmental challenges and offers an opportunity to present our case to the global community, seeking partnerships and innovative solutions. This conference will be a step towards the establishment of a permeant negotiation team for desertification, the same way we did for climate change.”

On the ground, our partnership with UNDP continues to tackle environmental pollution, a top priority for Iraq. We are dedicated to finding ways to reduce pollution across the country and implementing strategies to manage Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).