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Iraq Business
7 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)
Times of Oman
25-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Tackling water scarcity requires speed, scale, determination, FAO says
Baghdad: The world needs to act with speed, scale and determination to tackle the growing threat of water scarcity and climate shocks, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, told the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference. Hosted by the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, the conference offered FAO the chance to convene experts, policymakers, and partners to share knowledge and foster collaboration for sustainable water and agricultural development. Across the world, water is under growing pressure from rising demand, intensifying droughts and competing interests. The situation is particularly critical in Iraq, where water has an historical legacy. Mesopotamia - "the land between two rivers" - was the cradle of ancient civilisations like the Sumerians and the Babylonians. Today, water management systems like its canals and qanats underpin Iraq's identity, celebrated in art, literature, and religious texts. The country's agriculture sector - and its food security - rely heavily on water, with over 90 per cent of this precious resource used for irrigation, supporting staple crops like wheat, barley, rice, and date palms. Without sustainable water management, Iraq risks losing up to 50 per cent of its wheat and barley yields by 2050, increasing its reliance on volatile global markets. Moreover, disappearing water resources threaten to erase millennia-old traditions, displacing communities and cutting ties to historical landscapes. In the case of Iraq, preserving its water heritage means maintaining historical legacies and social cohesion. The challenges posed by water scarcity affect not just Iraq, but much of the Middle East and many other regions around the world. Tackling such challenges requires acting with "speed, scale and determination," Qu said. According to the FAO Director-General, priority should be placed on ensuring that water technologies are affordable and accessible. policymakers should also strengthen local capacity and empower farmers - especially youth and women. Finally, there's a need to scale-up what works, from smart irrigation to sustainable energy through knowledge and training programmes. In the meantime, FAO has been carrying out a series of initiatives in Iraq and the Middle East through its WaPOR programme - an open-access portal using remote sensing to help farmers use water more efficiently. Last year, for instance, FAO supported Iraq in securing a USD 39 million project co-financed by the Green Climate Fund to modernize irrigation, strengthen Water User Associations, promote climate-resilient agricultural practices and develop efficient and effective water and energy management policies. "Addressing water scarcity and droughts require science-based and integrated approaches," Qu said. "FAO is committed to continuing to provide reliable data, technical expertise and strategic partnerships," so that it may support those most in need to achieve the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life - leaving no one behind.
Belfast Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Gaza at critical risk of famine if Israel does not end campaign, experts warn
Outright famine is the mostly likely scenario unless conditions change, according to findings by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a leading international authority on the severity of hunger crises. Nearly a half million Palestinians are in 'catastrophic' levels of hunger, meaning they face possible starvation, the report said, while another million are at 'emergency' levels of hunger. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Israel has banned any food, shelter, medicine or other goods from entering the Palestinian territory for the past 10 weeks, even as it carries out waves of air strikes and ground operations. Gaza's population of around 2.3 million people relies almost entirely on outside aid to survive, because Israel's 19-month-old military campaign has wiped out most of the capacity to produce food inside the territory. The office of Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, did not respond to a request for comment on the IPC report. The army has said that enough assistance entered Gaza during a two-month ceasefire that Israel shattered in mid-March when it relaunched its military campaign. Israel says the blockade aims to pressure Hamas to release the hostages it still holds. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. It says it will not let aid back in until a new system giving it control over distribution is in place, accusing Hamas of siphoning off supplies. The United Nations denies substantial diversion of aid is taking place. It says the new system Israel envisages is unnecessary, will allow aid to be used as a weapon for political and military goals, and will not meet the massive needs of Palestinians. The United States says it is working up a new mechanism that will start deliveries soon, but it has given no timeframe. The UN has so far refused to participate, saying the plan does not meet humanitarian standards. Monday's report said that any slight gains made during the ceasefire have been reversed. Nearly the entire population of Gaza now faces high levels of hunger, it said, driven by conflict, the collapse of infrastructure, destruction of agriculture, and blockades of aid. Commenting on the report, the head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said any delay in restoring the flow of aid 'bringing us closer to famine'. 'If we fail to act, we are failing to uphold the right to food, which is a basic human right,' FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in the Gaza Strip killed at least 16 people in the embattled enclave, mostly women and children. At least five children and four women were among those killed in the strike on a school in the Jabaliya area, the Gaza health ministry's emergency service said. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its fighters operate in densely populated areas. There was no immediate comment on the latest strike. The attack came as US President Donald Trump is heading to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week.
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Gaza at critical risk of famine if Israel does not end campaign, experts warn
Nearly a half million Palestinians are in 'catastrophic' levels of hunger, meaning they face possible starvation, the report said, while another million are at 'emergency' levels of hunger. The humanitarian crisis in #Gaza is beyond imagination. Air strikes, blockades, and starvation continue, with tens of thousands killed and injured. Displaced families face collapsing infrastructure, sewage overflows, and empty markets. The siege must be lifted to ensure vital… — UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 11, 2025 Israel has banned any food, shelter, medicine or other goods from entering the Palestinian territory for the past 10 weeks, even as it carries out waves of air strikes and ground operations. Gaza's population of around 2.3 million people relies almost entirely on outside aid to survive, because Israel's 19-month-old military campaign has wiped out most of the capacity to produce food inside the territory. The office of Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, did not respond to a request for comment on the IPC report. The army has said that enough assistance entered Gaza during a two-month ceasefire that Israel shattered in mid-March when it relaunched its military campaign. Israel says the blockade aims to pressure Hamas to release the hostages it still holds. 🔴 Famine imminent in Gaza: New @theIPCinfo data reveals alarming escalation in food insecurity due to ongoing hostilities and aid restrictions.@FAO calls for immediate restoration of humanitarian access and lifting of blockades.#OpenUpGaza #RighToFoodhttps:// — FAO Newsroom (@FAOnews) May 12, 2025 It says it will not let aid back in until a new system giving it control over distribution is in place, accusing Hamas of siphoning off supplies. The United Nations denies substantial diversion of aid is taking place. It says the new system Israel envisages is unnecessary, will allow aid to be used as a weapon for political and military goals, and will not meet the massive needs of Palestinians. The United States says it is working up a new mechanism that will start deliveries soon, but it has given no timeframe. The UN has so far refused to participate, saying the plan does not meet humanitarian standards. Monday's report said that any slight gains made during the ceasefire have been reversed. There is a risk of catastrophic hunger, according to the report (AP) Nearly the entire population of Gaza now faces high levels of hunger, it said, driven by conflict, the collapse of infrastructure, destruction of agriculture, and blockades of aid. Commenting on the report, the head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said any delay in restoring the flow of aid 'bringing us closer to famine'. 'If we fail to act, we are failing to uphold the right to food, which is a basic human right,' FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in the Gaza Strip killed at least 16 people in the embattled enclave, mostly women and children. At least five children and four women were among those killed in the strike on a school in the Jabaliya area, the Gaza health ministry's emergency service said. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its fighters operate in densely populated areas. There was no immediate comment on the latest strike. The attack came as US President Donald Trump is heading to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week.
Zawya
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
G20: Food security is vital for peace, stability and human dignity, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says
Food security is about peace, stability, and human dignity, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, told G20 Foreign Ministers gathered in Johannesburg to discuss the global geopolitical situation. According to the latest UN figures, 733 million people worldwide face chronic hunger, 2.3 billion are food insecure, and 2.8 billion lack access to healthy diets. Conflict remains one of the greatest threats to food security, from the Sahel and Haiti to Ukraine and Gaza. At the same time, the continued neglect of agrifood systems in regions vulnerable to instability accelerates economic collapse and adds to conflict. In Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan, for example, the degradation of agrifood systems – intensified by policy failures - has increased tensions between farmers and pastoralists competing for limited resources. Beyond conflict and policy failures, the intensity and frequency of extreme climate events add to the challenges. Rising temperatures and extreme weather disrupt food production, increase risks for farmers, affect disease patterns, and accelerate migration, all of which undermine efforts to end hunger by 2030. 'These challenges threaten our ability to ensure stable agrifood systems and risk deepening global inequalities,' Qu said. The Director-General said addressing such inequalities is critical since many weaknesses in our agrifood systems arise from unequal access to innovation, technology, natural resources, and healthy diets. In this context of risks and uncertainties, international trade plays a critical role in global food security by ensuring food moves efficiently from surplus to deficit regions. This is why the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) - a G20 initiative hosted by FAO since 2011 - plays a key role in enhancing market transparency and policy coordination, Qu said. Agrifood systems sustain natural resources, livelihoods, and economic development, employing over 1.2 billion people and supporting over 3.8 billion globally. Crucially, 'food security is not just about policy - it is about peace, stability, and human dignity,' Qu said. That is why 'we must act now to ensure political commitment and the necessary investment for nutritious and healthy foods for all.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
