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Iraq Business
6 days ago
- Politics
- Iraq Business
Iraq and FAO launch $39m Climate Resilience Project
By John Lee. The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mr. QU Dongyu, has launched a $39-million project titled "Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Iraq" (SRVALI) , in partnership with key Iraqi ministries. The launch took place in Baghdad during the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference. Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with co-financing from the Governments of Canada and Sweden (SIDA), the project will directly support rural communities in Karbala, Najaf, and Muthanna-areas heavily impacted by drought, land degradation, and water scarcity. Key components of SRVALI include: Upgrading irrigation and water efficiency systems Deploying solar-powered irrigation Rehabilitating degraded farmland Strengthening Water User Associations Empowering women and youth Introducing digital tools and early warning systems Senior Iraqi officials including Environment Minister Dr. Halo Al-Askari, Water Resources Minister Dr. Aoun Diab Al-Abdullah, and Agriculture Minister Eng. Abbas Jabr Al-Maliki reaffirmed their commitment to the project, describing it as vital for Iraq's climate adaptation, food security, and transition to a green economy. UN Deputy Special Representative Ghulam Mohamed Isaczai welcomed Iraq's first-ever GCF-backed initiative as a milestone in national climate finance, supporting inclusive and sustainable development. Mr. Dongyu emphasised that water is at the heart of climate resilience and praised Iraq's growing leadership in global sustainability platforms. Full text of statement from FAO: Iraqi Government and FAO Launch $39-Million Climate Resilience Project As part of his visit to Baghdad, Iraq, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mr. QU Dongyu, together with key Iraqi ministries, today launched the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded project titled "Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Iraq" (SRVALI). The announcement took place on the sidelines of the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference, in the presence of senior government officials, international partners and United Nations representatives. With a total investment of USD 39 million, the SRVALI project aims to directly benefit rural households in the governorates of Karbala, Najaf, and Muthanna, regions increasingly affected by drought, land degradation, and water scarcity. The project includes generous co-financing from the Government of Canada and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Mr. Dongyu emphasized that the SRVALI project is a testament to Iraq's strong national ownership, inter-ministerial coordination, and efforts to deliver sustainable solutions to those most affected by climate change. He commended the Ministries of Environment, Water Resources, Planning, and Agriculture for their exemplary partnership throughout the project's development. Iraqi Minister of Environment, H.E. Dr. Halo Al-Askari, highlighted that addressing climate change is a top priority for the Iraqi government, integral to the transition towards a sustainable green economy and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including the eradication of hunger and poverty. The Minister of Water Resources, H.E. Dr. Aoun Diab Al-Abdullah, stated that the project represents a significant step toward achieving development goals through field interventions and sustainable infrastructure development. He affirmed the Ministry's full commitment to supporting the project's efficient implementation in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, ensuring benefits for Iraq's water and agricultural sectors. The initiative encompasses upgrading irrigation systems to enhance water use efficiency, deploying solar-powered irrigation solutions, reclaiming degraded farmlands, and promoting sustainable land and water management practices. Additionally, it focuses on strengthening Water User Associations, empowering rural women and youth, and introducing digital tools and early warning systems to mitigate risks and build resilience. Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Eng. Abbas Jabr Al-Maliki, noted that the project's launch results from extensive collaboration with FAO and the GCF, significantly contributing to combating climate change and advancing Iraq's agricultural strategy goals. Ghulam Mohamed Isaczai, UN Deputy Special Representative, Resident Coordinator, and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, remarked that establishing Iraq's first-ever GCF financing is a significant achievement in national climate finance, reflecting Iraq's dedication to building climate resilience, enhancing food security, and transitioning towards a more sustainable and inclusive economy. Mr. Dongyu concluded by highlighting that the event's timing with the Water Conference underscores that climate resilience begins with water. He reiterated FAO's commitment to supporting digital water management through tools like the FAO WaPOR platform and promoting community-level water governance through climate-smart solutions. This event also marks Iraq's growing prominence on the international stage, showcasing leadership and vision through initiatives such as the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, the One Country One Priority Product platform, and the World Food Forum. (Source: FAO)
Iraqi News
26-05-2025
- General
- Iraqi News
Baghdad, FAO launch $39 million climate resilience initiative
Baghdad ( – The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, in collaboration with Iraqi ministries, announced on Monday the launch of a new initiative supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The initiative is called 'Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Iraq' (SRVALI). The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference, where senior government officials, foreign partners, and United Nations representatives attended, according to a statement released by FAO. With a total investment of $39 million, the SRVALI initiative intends to directly help families in the countryside in the Iraqi provinces of Karbala, Najaf, and Muthanna, which are increasingly affected by drought, land degradation, and water shortages. The initiative involves considerable joint funding from the Canadian government and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Dongyu emphasized that the initiative demonstrates Iraq's inter-ministerial collaboration and attempts to provide sustainable solutions to people affected by climate change. Dongyu also praised the Iraqi ministries of environment, water resources, planning, and agriculture for their outstanding collaboration during the initiative's development. The campaign includes improving irrigation systems to increase water efficiency, using solar-powered irrigation technologies, restoring damaged farmlands, and promoting sustainable land and water management practices. Furthermore, the initiative aims to empower rural women and young adults by bringing digital tools and early warning systems to reduce risks and increase resilience.
Iraqi News
25-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Prime Minister: National Food Security Strategy constitutes a reference for joint work with FAO
Baghdad-INA Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani affirmed on Sunday that the National Food Security Strategy constitutes a reference for joint work with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to enhance local production, reduce imports, achieve self-sufficiency in wheat, and support farmers and agricultural workers. The Prime Minister's Media Office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received today, Sunday, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu." According to the statement, the Prime Minister stressed "the importance of cooperation with the organization to implement the recommendations of the Baghdad Water Conferences to address climate change, which has affected the environment and caused water scarcity and the spread of desertification." He praised "the role of the Director-General and officials of the organization for their efforts in the projects implemented and sponsored by FAO in Iraq." Al-Sudani pointed out that "the National Food Security Strategy constitutes a reference for joint work with the Organization to enhance local production, reduce imports, achieve self-sufficiency in wheat, and support farmers and agriculturalists." The Prime Minister emphasized "the importance of the outcomes of the Carbon Economics Conference held in Baghdad and the memoranda of understanding signed by Iraq with international companies to develop the green economy." He noted "the need to implement the outcomes of the (36) FAO Regional Conference for the Near East, held in Baghdad in 2022, and adopt it in Ministerial Declaration of Baghdad to ensure the transition to modern technological systems, support small enterprises, empower youth, and enhance the role of women." For his part, Dongyu confirmed "continued coordination with Iraq and readiness to launch a project to enhance its ability to confront climate change, funded by several parties, including Iraq and the Organization, with a total budget approaching $40 million."
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New technology revolutionizes the way countries are fighting deforestation: 'The better the chances of taking preventive action'
A forest monitoring platform, Ground (GTID), has launched in Indonesia to fight deforestation by making it easier to track the legality of commodities like palm oil, timber, and other forest-risk products. This comes at a time when Indonesia is reportedly ramping up its efforts to mitigate forest-risk products as the European Union Deforestation Regulation is set to be enforced at the end of the year. The tool will "make it easier to track where supply chain irregularities begin, especially in remote or hard-to-access areas," according to Mongabay. Denny Bhatara, the senior campaigner at Kaoem Telapak, explained that "many incidents occur that we might not be aware of due to distance or a lack of reporting mechanisms. Through GTID, we gather all field-based documentation and compile it into a unified system." The data is then presented in a "bottom-up method," ensuring that there's real-time, verifiable data collection that helps authorities decide whether the deforestation is unlawful and act before environmental damage occurs. "Sometimes, by the time we receive information from remote areas, the damage has already become massive and widespread," Bhatara told Mongabay. "[So] the faster we can share information, the better the chances of taking preventative action." The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated that 10 million hectares of the forest are subject to deforestation every year. One report has showcased that oil palm plantations have driven extensive deforestation in Indonesia alone for the past two decades. Three million hectares of Indonesia's forest have suffered from the extraction of these commodities. Deforestation is responsible for ecosystem annihilation, a reduction of emission captures to mitigate planet-harming pollution, food insecurity, among several other harms to human communities. In tracking down the cause of significant deforestation through Indonesia's tool, the ability to bar illegal and environmentally damaging trade grows. As Diah Suradiredja, the coordinator of the national dashboard, put it for Mongabay, "GTID is crucial for verification to prevent conflict-ridden products from being exported." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Scoop
24-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Three Sites In China Among Six Newly Recognized As Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems
Bangkok/ Rome - Three sites in China specializing in freshwater pearl mussels, white tea and pears have become the latest additions to Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Other newly designated sites include a traditional agroforestry system growing the erva-mate plant in Brazil, an ancestral system preserving vital food crops and biodiversity in Mexico and a distinctive farming system in the volcanic landscape of Spain's Lanzarote Island. 'Amid the increasing impacts of climate variability and extremes and biodiversity loss on agriculture and farmers, these systems are bright spots showing how communities can draw upon age old knowledge systems and practices to put food on the table, protect jobs and livelihoods and maintain unique and sustainable agricultural landscapes,' said Kaveh Zahedi, Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and environment at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 'Agricultural heritage systems are living examples of harmony between people and nature that have thrived and evolved through generations and have much to teach us as we adapt to an uncertain future.' The systems were formally designated under FAO's flagship programme during a meeting of the GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group on19 to 21 May. With the newest additions, FAO's worldwide agricultural heritage network now consists of 95 systems in 28 countries around the globe. The newly designated systems take the number in China to 25- the most of any country while Brazil now has two, Mexico three, and Spain six. Deqing Freshwater Pearl Mussels Composite Fishery System in Zhejiang Province, China In Deqing County, farmers have sustained an 800-year-old fish-mussel co-cultivation system that merges aquaculture, agriculture, and craftsmanship. Centered on shelled pearl mussel techniques, it yields pearls, rice, silk, and more. This circular system enhances biodiversity, food security, and cultural heritage, offering global insights into sustainable farming, ecological balance, and rural development. Mussel-based filtration reduces ammonia by 40 percent, nitrite by 54 percent, total nitrogen by 38 percent, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 30 percent, making aquaculture compatible with ecosystem restoration. The system supports more than 22 000 residents through farming, pearl processing, eco-tourism, and experiential education. Fuding White Tea Culture System in Fujian Province, China In Fuding, China, centuries-old white tea cultivation blends ecological wisdom and craftsmanship. Centered on the Lüxueya mother tree and natural withering techniques, this system integrates tea gardens with forests and crops, preserving biodiversity and supporting rural livelihoods. Deep cultural roots, rituals, and traditions reflect a strong bond between people, tea, and the land. The system preserves 18 tea tree varieties and beyond tea, it also embraces more than 120 other agricultural species, including 41 vegetables, 14 fruits, 11 domestic animal species, 31 freshwater species, and 32 edible fungi, contributing to ecological and food system resilience. Gaolan Shichuan Ancient Pear Orchard System in Gansu Province, China In Shichuan town by the Yellow River, a 600-year-old agroforestry system thrives, with towering pear trees cultivated using the traditional 'Gaotian' method. Integrating fruit trees, crops, and livestock, it preserves ancient varieties like Ruan'er and Dongguo. Resilient to droughts and floods, the system sustains agrobiodiversity, food security, and rural livelihoods. Annual pear yield exceeds 2 million kilograms; processed into fresh fruit, dried pears, and local specialties. Located in the arid Loess Plateau region, the system exemplifies dryland farming adapted to water scarcity and erosion-prone soils. The system helps conserve native plant and insect species by maintaining traditional polyculture practices and reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Shade-grown Erva Mate in Paraná, Brazil For centuries, Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities in southern Brazil have cultivated erva-mate in shaded agroforestry systems rooted in ancestral and agroecological practices. The leaves of the native tree species are traditionally consumed as chimarrão, tereré or mate in other countries like Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. By integrating food crops, native fruits, and forest products, the system strengthens biodiversity, food sovereignty, and cultural identity, while helping conserve the Araucaria Forest, one of the planet's most endangered biodiversity hotspots and a vital reservoir of life. In a region heavily impacted by deforestation, where only one percent of the original forest remains, this system offers a rare example of agricultural practices that preserve forest cover while supporting livelihoods and cultural heritage. Metepantle Ancestral Agricultural System in Tlaxcala, México In the mountainous and semi-arid landscapes of Tlaxcala state, for over three millennia, farming families in Tlaxcala have sustained the Metepantle system, a terraced mosaic of maize, agave, beans, squash, and wild plants. Rooted in Nahua Indigenous Peoples' knowledge, it preserves seeds, supports dryland biodiversity, and anchors local food systems and livelihoods, offering resilience and cultural continuity in one of Mexico's most climate-vulnerable regions. The system maintains over 140 native species, including 40 maize landraces and 30 types of edible greens, practising community-based conservation through family traditions, seed fairs, and exchange networks. It provides fibre, food, drink, soil stabilization, and pollinator habitat. Agricultural Systems in Jable and Volcanic Sands in Lanzarote Island, Spain On Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands, where arid black volcanic fields evoke a lunar landscape, and the wind rarely rests, farmers developed a remarkable agricultural system rooted in the innovative use of local soil. Following six years of volcanic eruptions in the 18th century, they began using volcanic lapilli or lava fragments (enarenado) and sea sand (jable) to trap moisture, regulate soil temperature and protect crops. Grapes, sweet potatoes, and legumes are cultivated using this method, which sustains biodiversity, livelihoods, and cultural heritage in one of Europe's driest regions — largely without irrigation. The enarenado system covers more than 12 000 hectares. It combines mulching with volcanic ash from historical eruptions and materials transported from volcanic zones, along with jable, a mulching technique that uses sea sand carried by wind and erosion over centuries.
