Page 22 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Iraq

Iraq Launch $39-Million Climate Resilience Project

the Director-General of the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations, Mr. QU Dongyu,
together with key Iraqi minis-
tries, launched the Green Climate
Fund (GCF)-funded project titled
“Strengthening Climate Resilience
of Vulnerable Agricultural Liveli-
hoods in Southern Iraq” (SRVALI)”.
The announcement took place on the
sidelines of the 5th Baghdad Interna-
tional Water Conference, in the pres-
ence of senior government officials, project’s launch results from exten-
international partners and United sive collaboration with FAO and the
Nations representatives. GCF, significantly contributing to
With a total investment of USD 39 combating climate change and ad-
million, the SRVALI project aims to vancing Iraq’s agricultural strategy
directly benefit rural households in goals.
the governorates of Karbala, Najaf,
and Muthanna, regions increasingly Ghulam Mohamed Isaczai, UN
affected by drought, land degrada- Deputy Special Representative, Resi-
tion, and water scarcity. The project H.E. Dr. Aoun Diab Al-Abdullah, dent Coordinator, and Humanitarian
includes a generous co-financing stated that the project represents a Coordinator in Iraq, remarked that
from the Government of Canada and significant step toward achieving establishing Iraq’s first-ever GCF fi-
the Swedish International Develop- nancing is a significant achievement
ment Cooperation Agency (SIDA) development goals through field in national climate finance, reflecting
interventions and sustainable infra-
Mr. Dongyu emphasized that the structure development. He affirmed Iraq’s dedication to building climate
SRVALI project is a testament to the Ministry’s full commitment to resilience, enhancing food security,
Iraq’s strong national ownership, supporting the project’s efficient im- and transitioning towards a more
inter-ministerial coordination, and plementation in collaboration with sustainable and inclusive economy.
efforts to delivering sustainable so- all relevant stakeholders, ensuring Mr. Dongyu concluded by high-
lutions to those most affected by cli- benefits for Iraq’s water and agricul- lighting that the event’s timing with
mate change. He commended the tural sectors. the Water Conference underscores
Ministries of Environment, Water The initiative encompasses up- that climate resilience begins with
Resources, Planning, and Agricul- grading irrigation systems to en-
ture for their exemplary partnership hance water use efficiency, de- water. He reiterated FAO’s commit-
throughout the project’s develop- ploying solar-powered irrigation ment to supporting digital water
ment. management through tools like the
solutions, reclaiming degraded FAO WaPOR platform and promoting
Iraqi Minister of Environment, H.E. farmlands, and promoting sustain- community-level water governance
Dr. Halo Al-Askari, highlighted that able land and water management through climate-smart solutions.
addressing climate change is a top practices. Additionally, it focuses on
priority for the Iraqi government, in- strengthening Water User Associa- This event also marks Iraq’s grow-
tegral to the transition towards a sus- tions, empowering rural women and ing prominence on the international
tainable green economy and achiev- youth, and introducing digital tools stage, showcasing leadership and
ing the Sustainable Development and early warning systems to miti- vision through initiatives such as
Goals, including the eradication of gate risks and build resilience. the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, the One
hunger and poverty.
Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Eng. Country One Priority Product plat-
The Minister of Water Resources, Abbas Jabr Al-Maliki, noted that the form, and the World Food Forum.
20 Arab Agriculture 2025