As the UN head for Iraq, I know well how difficult it is sometimes to make people talk to each other.
But I also saw how the most difficult problems could be solved through dialogue- and I know that we can also reach a breakthrough in finding a solution to combating dust-storms.
Dust-storms are a political challenge. They are not only related to the environment, but also to peace and stability. 90% of major armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000 occurred in countries containing environmental hotspots.
The Middle East is a very complicated part of the world, especially today. We are flooded with information on conflicts, ethnic and sectarian divisions, terrorist attacks and protests.
From this perspective, dust-storms are also an opportunity for dialogue and “a low hanging fruit”. Yes, I see this as an opportunity because dust-storms affect everyone.
The six year old daughter of my Iraqi colleague going to school is affected in the same way, as the leader of the neighbouring country.
Nationality, age, religion and ethnicity are not important.
Combating dust-storms will not favor any one group more than another, this natural phenomenon disregards political differences or sectarian divides.
If we unite to combat dust-storms, it will improve the lives of everyone, in each county. The sooner we cooperate across the region, the better.
Allow me to say a few more words about the trust-fund. I would like to us agree, here, today, on establishing a regional environmental trust-fund.
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