The Government of Iraq has signed a landmark cooperation agreement with the UN Environment Programme to speed environmental recovery and support peace-building in Iraq.
The agreement was signed on January 26, 2014 at a special event hosted by Iraqi Minister of Environment Eng. Sargon Lazar Slewa to welcome UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner on his first visit to Iraq.
Iraqi cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic community and international organizations attended the ceremony.
“The Government of Iraq is committed to moving ahead with plans to restore the environment as part of our National Development Plan. The visit by Mr. Steiner and the signing of the cooperation agreement will expedite and further strengthen this process,” said Environment Minister Slewa. “The well-being, security and livelihoods of Iraqis are dependent on our success,” said Slewa.
The new five-year Strategic Cooperation Agreement with UNEP is intended to strengthen Iraq’s attempts to overcome the country’s environmental challenges.
Areas of cooperation defined by the agreement are: environmental legislation and regulations; biodiversity conservation; the green economy; cleaner production; resource efficiency; combating dust storms; and climate change reporting, mitigation and adaptation.
For the original January 26, 2014 piece from Environment News Service referenced in this summary, click here.