INA - BAGHDAD
The Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi emphasized on Monday the importance of addressing climate change and internal displacement with a scientific and realistic approach.
Al-Aboudi chaired a high-level meeting on the challenges posed by climate change to national security and internal displacement as the meeting included high-level participation from ministries, relevant parliamentary committees, governorates, the Supreme Judicial Council, the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq, and other relevant institutions and bodies, according to a press statement by the National Security Advisor's media office received by the Iraqi News Agency -INA.
The meeting discussed the impact of climate change on national security and internal displacement, the challenges facing this issue, response strategies, and associated risks, as well as addressing internal displacement from a constitutional, legal, and security perspective, in addition to governorate plans for coordinating efforts to address the impact of this challenge on society and the necessary recommendations.
During the opening session of the meeting, Al-Aboudi emphasized that "previous government policies have exacerbated the migration of citizens from rural areas to cities for economic reasons," pointing out that "establishing large-scale economic projects in the provinces and providing decent living opportunities would reduce migration to urban centers."
“Importing agricultural products from abroad has harmed the agricultural sector in provinces that rely on agriculture, prompting their residents to migrate to cities in search of employment,” explaining that "Iraq's population growth is increasing significantly, while the country's resources are not diversified."
He noted that "the southern and central provinces are the most affected by this situation," stressing "the importance of addressing climate change and internal displacement from a scientific and realistic perspective," commending the efforts of the relevant authorities monitoring this issue.
Al-Aboudi expressed "the National Security Advisory's readiness to cooperate, provide studies and research, share the visions and ideas of relevant parties, and develop practical solutions to overcome the obstacles posed by this challenge."