PM Calls on Youth to Lead Iraq's Environmental Transformation

By John Lee.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani attended the National Conference for Young Environmental Pioneers at Al-Mustansiriyah University, where he highlighted the essential role of youth in raising environmental awareness and advancing sustainable practices in Iraq.

During the event, the Prime Minister planted a tree in the university's garden as a symbolic gesture in support of the initiative. Emphasizing that over 60 percent of Iraq's population is under the age of 30, he stated that this demographic strength must be mobilised to meet environmental and developmental challenges.

In his speech, Al-Sudani stressed that protecting the environment is a collective responsibility-not limited to the government-and urged the expansion of youth-led voluntary environmental activities. Key initiatives highlighted include:

• Launch of The Al-Khair Initiative to empower youth in agriculture, food security, and climate action.
• Formation of a National Youth Climate Action Team with 1,000 members across all provinces.
• Government backing for major environmental conferences, including the Carbon Economics Conference (Baghdad) and the Iraq Climate Conference (Basra).
• New regulations on pollution sources and transformation of industrial plants into eco-friendly facilities.
• Expansion of afforestation efforts using modern agricultural spraying technology.
• Launch of a Waste-to-Energy Power Plant Project in Al-Nahrawan (100 MW capacity).
• Upgrades to wastewater treatment systems on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
• Signing of water cooperation agreements with Türkiye to implement modern water management systems.
• Commitment to end gas flaring by 2027, supported by international contracts and investment.
• Adoption of the National Initiative for Environmental Monitoring and Inspection.
• Increased investment in scientific research, emission reduction, and natural area protection.

The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming Iraq's commitment to climate goals and sustainable development, while calling on youth to play a leading role in shaping a greener future.

(Source: PMO)