logo
UN Ocean Conference: Iraqi President urges global climate, water action

UN Ocean Conference: Iraqi President urges global climate, water action

Shafaq News2 days ago

Shafaq News/ On Monday, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid called for urgent global action on climate and water security during his speech at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held June 9–13 in Nice, France.
Rashid arrived in France on Sunday with First Lady Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, Deputy Prime Minister Fuad Hussein, and senior officials for the summit, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.
At the high-level session, Rashid warned that Iraq faces a 'severe and growing water crisis ' fueled by climate change and poor cross-border water management, blaming shrinking flows from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for decimating agriculture and triggering internal displacement.
He reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to multilateral efforts against climate threats, stressing that worsening water shortages are deepening food insecurity and economic hardship nationwide.
رئيس الجمهورية @LJRashid: إن محيطاتنا وبحارنا تمثل القلب النابض لكوكب الأرض ورئته التي لا غنى عنها؛ فهي تُنتج أكثر من نصف الأوكسجين الذي نتنفسه، وتحتضن معظم التنوع البيولوجي على سطح الأرض، وتسهم بدور جوهري في تنظيم المناخ العالمي. pic.twitter.com/xLpE8pPVDm
— رئاسة جمهورية العراق (@IraqiPresidency) June 9, 2025
Framing ocean degradation as a security challenge, Rashid urged an integrated global response. 'Oceans and seas are more than natural wonders; they are complex ecosystems that stabilize our climate, support food security, generate livelihoods, and regulate the Earth's water cycle.'
The Iraqi President outlined key priorities: increasing sustainable ocean investment, restoring marine ecosystems, expanding hydrological and oceanic mapping, closing legal loopholes in high seas governance, and securing fair water-sharing deals.
He also pressed for implementation of the High Seas Treaty and the inclusion of water and climate strategies in national development plans—especially in vulnerable nations.
'Together, let us unite with purpose and determination to protect our oceans and secure a sustainable, equitable future for all who depend on them.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US Embassy in Baghdad prepares for ordered departure
US Embassy in Baghdad prepares for ordered departure

Shafaq News

time3 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

US Embassy in Baghdad prepares for ordered departure

Shafaq News/ US Embassy in Baghdad prepares for ordered departure due to the hightened security risks in the region, an Iraqi security official and a US source told Reuters on Wednesday. According to Reuters, the US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The State Department is planning an organized departure from the US Embassy in Baghdad, aiming to carry it out through commercial means. However, the US military stands ready to assist if requested, another American official stated. Ealier, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned Iran will target US bases in the region if nuclear talks lead to a conflict with Washington. US President Donald Trump, in an interview, expressed diminishing confidence that Iran would agree to halt uranium enrichment as part of a nuclear deal with Washington. Another US official confirmed that operations remain unchanged at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American military installation in the Middle East. No evacuation order has been issued for embassy staff or their families in Qatar, and the embassy continues to operate normally.

Iran escalates its rhetoric ahead of talks: US will face heavy losses
Iran escalates its rhetoric ahead of talks: US will face heavy losses

Shafaq News

time3 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iran escalates its rhetoric ahead of talks: US will face heavy losses

Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that any failure in nuclear negotiations could lead to war, with the United States facing 'heavier losses'. During a press briefing following a cabinet meeting, Nasirzadeh cautioned that threats from US officials about possible military action would backfire if diplomacy fails. 'We have the capability to target all US bases across the region without hesitation… The presence of American forces would become unsustainable in host countries.' Meanwhile, a new round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington, brokered by Oman, is scheduled for Sunday in capital Muscat. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and denies seeking nuclear weapons, while Western powers demand safeguards to prevent Tehran from acquiring a bomb. Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of indirect talks since April, the highest-level engagement since Trump withdrew from the 2015 agreement and reimposed sanctions. Separately, the US and its European allies have submitted a resolution against Iran to the IAEA's Board of Governors, citing growing concerns over Tehran's nuclear activities.

New Mideast diplomacy: Netanyahu pushes for direct talks with Syria
New Mideast diplomacy: Netanyahu pushes for direct talks with Syria

Shafaq News

time3 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

New Mideast diplomacy: Netanyahu pushes for direct talks with Syria

Shafaq News/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to initiate direct negotiations with Syria's new government under US mediation, Axios reported, citing two Israeli officials. Netanyahu presented the proposal to US Envoy Tom Barrack during a recent meeting in Jerusalem, aiming to explore normalization, which, if formalized, would mark the first direct engagement between Israel and Syria since 2011, before the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. Barrack, a senior advisor to President Donald Trump, had visited Damascus days earlier, where he met with transitional Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and reopened the US ambassador's residence—closed since 2012. He described the Israel-Syria conflict as 'a solvable problem' and urged starting with a non-aggression agreement to establish diplomatic momentum. Al-Sharaa, a former rebel commander, assumed power following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024. His transitional government, formed under an interim constitution adopted in March, has aligned itself closely with Washington and Riyadh. Israeli officials now view al-Sharaa's orientation as a diplomatic opportunity. 'It is better for us that the Syrian government is close to the US and Saudi Arabia,' one senior official told Axios. Initial communications took place via intermediaries but have since progressed to direct meetings in third countries. Officials described al-Sharaa as more pragmatic than expected and emphasized his independence from Turkish influence —an important factor for Israel, which has long opposed Ankara's military presence and backing of Syrian opposition factions. During Barrack's visit, Israel outlined key requirements for any agreement: - Withdrawal of Iranian, Hezbollah, and Turkish military forces from Syria. - Full demilitarization of southern Syria. - Reactivation of the 1974 UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with the inclusion of US troops. - Binding non-aggression guarantees along the border. UNDOF's monitoring role had eroded during the civil war, but Israeli officials now propose expanding its mandate under a new security framework. The future of the Golan Heights—a territory occupied by Israel since 1967 and formally recognized as Israeli by the Trump administration in 2019—will be central to any talks. While previous Syrian governments demanded full Israeli withdrawal, Israeli officials believe Damascus may adopt a more flexible approach under al-Sharaa's leadership, especially given his alignment with the US.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store