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Iraq Business
4 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)
ABC News
6 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Green Climate Fund offers 100 million plus in funding to Pacific countries
Next month, Pacific countries are set to access the more than 100-million dollar climate funding to help mitigate climate change impacts on tuna fisheries. The grant from the Green Climate Fund will be split between 14 countries and will be used to study tuna migration patterns. Current modelling predicts that as the ocean warms tuna stocks will move east away from Pacific exclusive economic zones. Many Pacific countries rely on tuna fisheries for food security and their economy. In Tuvalu the fisheries business accounts for 40 percent of their GDP. "Tuna accounts for more than half of local catch on the island," said Tuvalu's Director of Fisheries Samasoni Finikaso. "Our life is associated with the ocean," he added.
Daily News Egypt
19-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Environment Minister urges stronger public-private partnerships for Arab green transition
Egypt's Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad has called for deeper collaboration between governments and the private sector across the Arab world to accelerate the region's transition to a green economy, warning that ongoing conflicts must not obscure pressing sustainability challenges such as food and water security. Speaking at the opening session of the Arab Sustainability Expo, held in Cairo from 18–20 May, Fouad emphasized that the gathering represented more than just a digital platform or institutional effort. 'This is a strong signal that the Arab ambition for a better future remains alive,' she said. The event, held under the auspices of the Arab League and organized by the Sustainability Partners Coalition, convened government leaders, private sector stakeholders, and international organizations to advance regional integration on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 'Sustainability is not just environmental—it also involves integrating social and economic dimensions,' Fouad noted, highlighting how rapid digitization and the impacts of climate change disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. She underscored the need to align environmental goals with economic incentives to attract private investment. Fouad cited Egypt's updated investment law, which offers targeted incentives across four key green sectors: renewable energy, green hydrogen, waste management, and alternatives to single-use plastic bags. During a panel titled 'Effective Partnerships for a Sustainable Future,' Fouad called for reducing bureaucratic hurdles and rebranding the environment as an investment opportunity. She pointed to Egypt's renewable energy sector as a model of success, referencing the introduction of feed-in tariffs in 2015 and subsequent regulatory adjustments that have boosted private sector participation. Fouad also detailed Egypt's progress in securing climate finance, with $470m mobilized for clean energy projects through global mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, and Global Environment Facility. To streamline green investments, the Environment Ministry has established a dedicated Environmental and Climate Investment Unit to coordinate between funding sources and stakeholders. The ministry has also launched a national climate investment platform, highlighting 62 project opportunities spanning small, medium, and large-scale initiatives in partnership with local banks. Fouad noted that Egypt's first climate finance initiative, launched in 2019, provided technical support through the Central Bank of Egypt to train domestic banks on distinguishing between sustainable development and climate-related investments. She added that Egypt's national climate strategy to 2050 and a corresponding 2030 action plan prioritize integrated projects across energy, water, and agriculture to enhance resilience and attract blended finance. The Arab Sustainability Expo serves as a regional platform for showcasing innovative solutions and best practices in green technologies, environmental governance, and inclusive development. The forum includes participation from Arab ministers, major financial institutions, and leading companies from Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Iraq plans to develop projects to improve climate adaptation
Iraq plans to develop a portfolio of projects to improve its climate adaptation and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies. The development is part of Iraq's Green Climate Fund (GCF) country programme, which targets projects in key sectors, mainly the agriculture and water sectors, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) said in a statement last week. The unveiling of Iraq's country programme follows the October 2024 approval of GCF's first $39 million project in Iraq to strengthen vulnerable agriculture livelihoods. The project, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization, will improve the livelihoods of two million Iraqis and contribute to the country's long-term food security and economic stability. The investment will empower water user associations and improve water management across the agriculture sector via policy reforms, improved irrigation technologies, and integration of renewable energy solutions, the statement said. (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Rudaw Net
16-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraq begins registering land for Development Road
Also in Iraq Green Climate Fund approves Iraq's $1.3bn climate program Iraqi electoral body to open candidate registration May 25 Over 100 public figures denounce trial of Kirkuk Kurdish farmer as 'political' UN hails Iraq's repatriations from Syria ISIS detention camps A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Baghdad has begun the process of registering land along the Development Road route in the southern provinces. 'The cadastral maps for the Development Road project have been submitted to the provinces of Dhi Qar, Muthanna, Diwaniyah, and Basra,' Maysam Safi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation, told Rudaw on Thursday. The cadastral maps outline the ownership of lands along the project's route - whether state-owned or privately held - in order to take the necessary steps to register them under the relevant ministries involved in the Development Road project. 'These maps include the numbers of land plots and parcels that fall along the Development Road,' Safi said. Spanning 1,200 kilometers, the Development Road project begins at Basra's Faw Port on the Persian Gulf and stretches to the northern borders with Turkey. The $17 billion corridor will feature both railways and highways designed to transport goods and passengers with the goal of making Iraq a trade hub. Safi said that secondary registration committees - led by the governors of the four provinces - will begin the process of registering lands along the Development Road route. Provincial councils must approve the route before construction can begin. Ahmed Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Dhi Qar Provincial Council, told Rudaw that the committees have not yet been formed and the project's route through the province has not been put to a vote. The council is scheduled to meet on May 20 to review and discuss the proposed map. The first phase of the Development Road project is expected to be completed by 2028, with final completion planned for 2050. Officials say the Development Road will strengthen Iraq's geopolitical standing, boost the national economy, and create thousands of jobs by linking the country to European markets via Turkey. However, it has been a point of contention between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which is concerned that there are no major highway or railway connections to the Kurdistan Region in the plan. Erbil has warned that centralizing trade routes through federal territories could weaken the Region's control over cross-border trade and customs excise.
