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Iraq Business
a day ago
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq launches Climate-Resilient Water Management Project
By John Lee. At the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference , Iraq and Germany officially launched the joint Climate-resilient Water Resource Management (CWRM) project-an initiative designed to address Iraq's deepening water crisis with sustainable and practical solutions. Implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources in cooperation with Germany's development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The Hilla River, running through Babylon, Diwaniyah, and Muthanna governorates, has been selected as the pilot area. The project focuses on: Modernising water resource information systems and data monitoring, Strengthening climate-resilient planning through water accounting and scenario modelling, Enhancing technical capacity within Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources-with a focus on empowering women, Assessing and piloting drainage water reuse as an alternative resource. Experts including Youssef Brouziyne, of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Gerald Corzo Perez (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education) contributed insights, underlining the importance of data-driven water planning and the use of AI and hydroinformatics in managing water under climate pressure. Full statement from GIZ: A new step towards a sustainable future for Iraq's water sector: we are proud to officially launch the Climate-resilient Water Resource Management (CWRM) project - a joint initiative between Iraq and Germany aimed at securing a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. The launch took place at the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference, where the Ministry of Water Resources and GIZ signed the implementation agreement, marking an important milestone in tackling Iraq's growing water challenges. As Iraq is facing a worsening water crisis, the Federal Government of Iraq and Germany have joined forces on this critical initiative. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), we work closely with Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources on practical solution aligned with specific needs of the country. For this, the Hillah River, traversing Babylon, Diwaniyah and Muthanna has been designated as the pilot area. The project will focus on: Upgrading water resources information systems, including monitoring systems and data management. Strengthening climate-resilient planning by employing innovative tools for water accounting and scenario modelling. Building technical capacities withing the Ministry of Water Resources with a special focus on empowering women. Assessing the potential of drainage water reuse as an unconventional water resource and developing pilot projects ready for implementation. The launch featured contribution from leading experts: Youssef Brouziyne, Head of MENA Regional Office at the International Water Management Institute, highlighted the vital role of water data and planning in the face of climate change. Additionally, Gerald Corzo Perez, Associate Professor of Hydroinformatics at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, shared insights on the applications of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence, showcasing successful case studies from around the globe. (Source: GIZ) Tags: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Babylon, Baghdad International Water Conference, cg, climate resilience, Climate-resilient Water Resource Management (CWRM) project, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Diwaniyah, featured, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), germany, hilla river, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Muthanna, Netherlands, sustainable development, water management
Rudaw Net
3 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Rwanga plants 20,000 olive saplings in Erbil
Also in Kurdistan $73 million in development projects approved for Halabja province Kurdistan people's livelihood not a tool for political leverage: KDP leader President Barzani says Erbil wants stronger ties with Japan US senators meet with Iraqi, Kurdistan leaders A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Rwanga Foundation on Sunday completed an initiative to plant 20,000 Spanish olive saplings in Erbil to promote environmental sustainability, in partnership with the German development agency (GIZ) and the agriculture ministry. 'We concluded the project of planting 20,000 Spanish olive saplings, which our institution, the Rwanga Foundation, undertook in partnership with GIZ and with the support of the German government and the agriculture ministry,' said Hassan Shekh Aladin, Rwanga's executive director, in a speech at the conclusion event. In 2023, Rwanga partnered with GIZ to implement development projects that created 250 job opportunities and supported 130 individuals in launching or expanding small businesses. The second goal of the partnership was to plant 20,000 Spanish olive saplings as part of an environmental sustainability initiative. 'We were able to complete the project within two years,' Aladin said, adding that 11,000 saplings were provided by GIZ. 'To complete the project comprehensively and fully, we had 9,000 saplings remaining. Thanks to the responsibility of the respected Idris Nechirvan Barzani, the other 9,000 saplings were also provided. Now we see that 20,000 olive trees have been planted here,' he stated. The planted trees can produce over 4 million liters of oxygen daily, enough for 9,000 people, and are expected to yield 120 tons of olive oil and 400 tons of olives annually, with the Spanish variety chosen for its faster two-year production cycle compared to Iraqi trees, according to Aladin. Agriculture Minister Begard Talabani hailed the project, saying that the trees will bring economic benefits and are also resistant to drought seasons. 'Instead of planting a tree only to give us oxygen and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, we want to develop those trees that have both economic benefit and can also withstand water scarcity during drought periods,' Talabani said at the event. Talabani explained that the project was established in a forested area that has served as a green belt for Erbil for over 30 years, expressing hope that, with support from all relevant Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) bodies, the area can be protected and developed as the "lungs of Erbil." The Rwanga Foundation is an NGO 'that envisages a world where quality education is accessible for all. Its mission is to provide services, build capacities, and design policies to ensure easy access to education for all and improve the overall educational standards in KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq], Iraq, and the greater global community,' according to the organization's website.
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Rwanga plants 20,000 olive trees in Erbil green push
Shafaq News/ The Rwanga Foundation announced on Sunday the completion of a major environmental project involving the planting of 20,000 drought-resistant Spanish olive trees in the Dilopa area of Kasnazan, near Erbil, as part of its 'Green Kurdistan' campaign. Led by Idris Nechirvan Barzani, President and Founder of Rwanga, the launch ceremony drew high-level attendance, including Fawzi Hariri, Chief of Staff of the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Agriculture Minister Begard Talabani, representatives of GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation), international diplomats, and local NGOs. The project spans 55 donums of land and is expected to yield 400 tons of olives and 120 tons of olive oil annually, while producing an estimated 5 million liters of oxygen per day, significantly improving air quality in the region. Rwanga said the initiative also created 255 permanent and seasonal jobs, with priority given to women, youth, and people with disabilities. Funded in coordination with GIZ and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and supported by the Kurdistan Regional Government, the project aims to combat desertification, restore degraded land, and promote sustainable agriculture. Since its launch in 2023, the Kasnazan Olive Orchard has become the cornerstone of Rwanga's broader reforestation efforts, which have planted over 200,000 trees across the Kurdistan Region since 2020. Rwanga emphasized that this model of climate-smart agriculture and community-driven sustainability offers a replicable strategy for balancing environmental recovery with economic and social development in the face of intensifying climate challenges.
Egypt Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Egypt & Germany launch new phase of migration, employment coop.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Migration and Egyptians Abroad Nabil Habashi announced the start of a new phase in Egypt's cooperation with Germany to support youth employment and safe labor mobility. This comes after the first steering committee meeting for phase two of the Egyptian–German Center for Jobs, Migration, and Reintegration, held in Cairo. The meeting was co-chaired by Habashi and Holger Illge from the German Embassy, with participation from the EU Delegation and GIZ. The new phase will expand job placement and training programs for Egyptians seeking work in Germany. Discussions included setting a broader action plan, improving access to the center's services nationwide, and increasing cooperation with German institutions in need of skilled workers. The center, established under Presidential Decree No. 51 of 2020, will continue to offer job matching, training, and preparation for Egyptian workers in both Egypt and Germany. The project aims to support safe migration and provide practical pathways to employment. (MENA)
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
'Only 3% of Jordan's health budget allocated to mental health'
AMMAN — Representing HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, former health minister Saad Jaber on Tuesday opened the regional conference 'Between Scarred Landscapes and Safe Havens: Visualising the Future of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in the Middle East.' Organised by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the two-day conference brought together policymakers, researchers, humanitarian workers, and mental health experts to examine the evolving role of MHPSS in a region marked by conflict, displacement, and economic hardship. Jaber, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees at the Royal Hashemite Documentation Centre, called for greater investment in mental health, noting that only 3 per cent of Jordan's total health expenditure is allocated to mental health services. He also stressed that mental health is not only about survival, but also about restoring dignity and building societal stability. 'In Jordan, over 70 per cent of primary health centres still lack mental health and psychosocial support services,' he said. 'We need a shared framework, not scattered efforts.' German Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Guido Kemmerling highlighted the importance of regional cooperation. 'Today, over 2,000 professionals from across the region are gathering to share their experiences, helping reduce stigma and improve responses to violence and suicide,' he said. "MHPSS initiatives across Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, and beyond have played a crucial role in reducing intercommunal tensions, supporting survivors of violence, and creating safe spaces where communities can reclaim agency over their lives," he added. Since 2015, the GIZ Regional Project 'MHPSS in the Middle East,' commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has worked to boost mental health systems in the region through community-based programming and cross-border knowledge sharing. The conference also featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, and joint workshops aimed at scaling up MHPSS in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. On the first day, Reem Abu Kishk, technical advisor to the regional MHPSS project, delivered a keynote presentation titled 'The Journey of 10 Years of MHPSS in the Region'. Drawing on extensive field experience, she outlined the sector's evolution from emergency response to long-term integration into development frameworks. She also highlighted the growing demand for psychosocial support across the region, particularly amid ongoing displacement and socio-economic instability. 'The stories of families we've worked with remind us why this work matters, and why mental health must no longer be an afterthought,' she said. The conference participants also stressed that mental health must be placed at the centre of recovery strategies, not as a peripheral concern, but as a foundation for peace, resilience, and human dignity. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
