Baghdad, Iraq – January 18, 2025 Iraq Climate Change Center in partnership with Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning hosted the Iraq Sustainable Development Forum (ISDF’25) Focusing on the outcomes of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29), the forum featured keynote speeches by Dr. Ali Taher Al-Hmoud, Executive Director of Al-Bayan Center; Judge Salar Abdul Sattar, representing the Iraq Climate Change Center; and Dr. Ali Al-Lami, Climate and Environment Advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq. The forum’s sessions explored various aspects of climate action and the green economy in Iraq. The first session addressed Iraq’s climate commitments post-COP 29 and highlighted the importance of regional and international cooperation in this context. It also examined opportunities for Iraq in climate action and the role of international donors in supporting the country’s green transition. The second session focused on policy approaches to reducing emissions in the energy sector, emphasizing the need for energy sector reforms to achieve this goal. Discussions included the importance of transitioning Iraq’s energy economy to a circular economy to foster sustainable environmental resilience. In this context, Morshed, the exclusive forum sponsor, presented the official launch of the “Green Fingerprint Certificate” initiative, which is aimed at promoting sustainability practices and encouraging environmental accountability within institutions. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Iraq Climate Change Center (IC3+). The forum concluded with a third session on advancing the green economy and exploring financing pathways to support this transformation. The event attracted high-level participation, including government representatives, international organizations, parliamentarians, and advisors, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing sustainable development and building a thriving green economy in Iraq.

Join us for our next session of Facing the Future, where we host experts and researchers to discuss Iraq’s key challenges and opportunities. This time, we are bringing together: 🎙 @HayderSH – Research Fellow at Chatham House, specializing in governance, political economy, and contentious politics in Iraq and the MENA region. 🎙 @HamzehKarkhi – Visiting Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations & Adjunct Fellow at the Center for a New American Security. As always, the discussion will be moderated by Hashim Al-Hussaini. 🔎 Topic: Iraq’s Economy & Foreign Policy Under the Trump Administration 📅 Date: Friday, February 14, 2025 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM Baghdad | 4:00 PM London 📍 Live on our X account Don’t miss this insightful discussion! Set a reminder and join the conversation.

RT @UNICEFiraq: الأطفال هم الأقل تسبباً في التغير المناخي، لكنهم الأكثر تأثراً به.

𝗪𝗙𝗣 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗿𝗮𝗾'𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has secured a significant contribution from the Italian Government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) to support Iraqi communities in building resilience to climate change and creating economic opportunities, particularly for women. The initiative, in collaboration with Iraq's Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment, will introduce climate-smart farming practices, improve irrigation systems, and provide financial support to help farmers and entrepreneurs adapt. Iraq’s agricultural sector is under severe strain from rising temperatures, water scarcity, and land degradation, with 40% of arable land in the south at risk of desertification, threatening food security across the country. The project will be implemented in Ninewa, Salah al-Din, Thi-Qar, and Basra, regions hardest hit by climate change, and will focus on vulnerable women-led households, crisis-affected communities, and smallholder farmers. Key components include efficient irrigation systems that could reduce water use by 40%, training on drought-resistant crops, and better land management practices. The initiative will also prioritize the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in climate adaptation programs, offering technical training and access to financial resources. Partnering with the Government of Iraq, Italian experts, and local academia, WFP aims to improve ecosystem management, boost agricultural productivity, and enhance food security, driving Iraq’s green transition toward sustainability.

🌍 Facing the Future: Energy, Environment, and Economy Nexus Our Facing the Future series continued offline at the Iraq Sustainable Development Forum 2025! Session 2 brought together experts to discuss critical intersections between Iraq’s energy transition, environmental resilience, and sustainable economic growth. 🔑 Key Discussion Points: Dr. Luay Al-Khatteeb highlighted pathways for Iraq to leverage energy reforms for economic diversification and carbon reduction. Dr. Emad Sheikh Daoud emphasized policies to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability and global best practices. Dr. Sadiq Jawad addressed water management challenges and strategies to enhance efficiency amid climate change. The session, moderated by Hashim Al-Hussaini, explored actionable steps for Iraq to align with global renewable energy trends and build a circular economy. 📺 Watch the full session here:

I𝗿𝗮𝗾𝗶 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀, 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟱 Minister of Water Resources, Aoun Diab, has warned of the alarming state of the country’s water resources, stating that Iraq is on track to reach the water poverty line by 2035. Diab highlighted the drastic decline in per capita water availability. “In previous years, the annual per capita water share in Iraq was 1,500 cubic meters, but it has now dropped to 800 cubic meters,” he said. The minister further cautioned that by 2035, this figure is expected to decline to just 500 cubic meters, marking the threshold of water poverty. “The water supply we currently have is already below the country’s needs,” he added. #Iraq #water_resources #water_scarcity

ENG | عربي On Clean Energy Day, we celebrate the power of clean energy in shaping a sustainable and resilient future. Clean energy is more than a solution, it’s a commitment to a healthier planet and stronger communities. Let’s keep pushing for a cleaner, greener tomorrow! في يوم الطاقة النظيفة، نحتفل بالدور المحوري للطاقة النظيفة في بناء مستقبل مستدام وأكثر مرونة. الطاقة النظيفة ليست مجرد حل، بل هي التزام نحو كوكب أكثر صحة ومجتمعات أقوى. لنعمل معًا من أجل غدٍ أنظف وأخضر! #CleanEnergyDay #IC3Plus

Reflecting on ISDF’25: A Milestone for Iraq’s Sustainable Development We’re thrilled to share the recap of the Iraq Sustainable Development Forum (ISDF’25), hosted in partnership with Al-Bayan Center. From post-COP29 climate commitments to energy reforms and the launch of the “Green Fingerprint Certificate” initiative, the forum brought together key players to shape Iraq’s sustainable future. Read more here: #ISDF #Sustainability #IC3plus

RT @BayanCenter: مركز البيان ومركز العراق للتغير المناخي يوقعان عقد تأسيس منتدى العراق للتنمية المستدامة في خطوة نحو مستقبل أكثر استدامة ف…

The third session started on financing the sustainable energy.

Dr Sadiq Jawad: there are many challenges of water resources sector. The relation between the climate change and water resources are strongly related.

Dr Al-Sheikh Dawood: there is a gap between the the legislative and executives authorities with the Acadmia.

Dr Al-Sheikh Dawood: iraq lack integrated energy policies.

Dr Alkhatteeb: Government need to legislate laws to encourage energy saving.

Dr AlKhatteeb: the public owned companies should have a larger and independent role.

The speakers or the second session are Dr Luay AlKhatteeb, Dr Emad Al-Sheikh Dawood, and Dr Sadiq Al-Jawad. The session is about Energy, environment and economy nexus.

Dr Luay AlKhatteeb: “electricity is a commodity rather than service”

Dr Yousif: “there is high coordination with international organization especially with UNDP to update the NDC.