Baghdad -INA
The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers affirmed on Monday the importance of translating environmental policies into sustainable development measures.
In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers said, "The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers celebrated World Environment Day, which was held this year under the theme 'Inspired by Nature... For Climate... For Our Future,' in the presence of a number of officials, specialists, and those interested in environmental issues."
It added that "the celebration included specialized dialogue sessions that discussed environmental challenges and ways to preserve the environment and enhance community awareness of the importance of sustainable development, the event also included a special exhibition on climate and environmental changes organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, which reviewed the most prominent effects of climate change and the measures taken to adapt to it and promote the sustainable management of natural resources."
Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Farhad Nimatullah Hussein, affirmed in a speech he delivered during the ceremony, according to the statement, that “the environmental and climatic challenges facing Iraq are no longer limited to their environmental effects only, but have extended to include water, food, health and economic security,” noting that “environmental and climate change issues have become a national priority, with developmental, economic and security dimensions that are directly linked to the country’s future, stability and its ability to achieve sustainable development.”
It explained that “confronting these challenges requires integration of governmental efforts and effective cooperation between official institutions, the private sector, academia and civil society organizations,” stressing “the importance of moving from the stage of preparing plans and strategies to the stage of actual implementation of projects and practical procedures on the ground, in order to ensure tangible results that contribute to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability.”
