logo

Iraq and FAO launch $39m Climate Resilience Project

Iraq Business28-05-2025
By John Lee.
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mr. QU Dongyu, has launched a $39-million project titled "Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Iraq" (SRVALI) , in partnership with key Iraqi ministries.
The launch took place in Baghdad during the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference.
Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with co-financing from the Governments of Canada and Sweden (SIDA), the project will directly support rural communities in Karbala, Najaf, and Muthanna-areas heavily impacted by drought, land degradation, and water scarcity.
Key components of SRVALI include:
Upgrading irrigation and water efficiency systems
Deploying solar-powered irrigation
Rehabilitating degraded farmland
Strengthening Water User Associations
Empowering women and youth
Introducing digital tools and early warning systems
Senior Iraqi officials including Environment Minister Dr. Halo Al-Askari, Water Resources Minister Dr. Aoun Diab Al-Abdullah, and Agriculture Minister Eng. Abbas Jabr Al-Maliki reaffirmed their commitment to the project, describing it as vital for Iraq's climate adaptation, food security, and transition to a green economy.
UN Deputy Special Representative Ghulam Mohamed Isaczai welcomed Iraq's first-ever GCF-backed initiative as a milestone in national climate finance, supporting inclusive and sustainable development.
Mr. Dongyu emphasised that water is at the heart of climate resilience and praised Iraq's growing leadership in global sustainability platforms. Full text of statement from FAO:
Iraqi Government and FAO Launch $39-Million Climate Resilience Project
As part of his visit to Baghdad, Iraq, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mr. QU Dongyu, together with key Iraqi ministries, today launched the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded project titled "Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Iraq" (SRVALI). The announcement took place on the sidelines of the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference, in the presence of senior government officials, international partners and United Nations representatives. With a total investment of USD 39 million, the SRVALI project aims to directly benefit rural households in the governorates of Karbala, Najaf, and Muthanna, regions increasingly affected by drought, land degradation, and water scarcity. The project includes generous co-financing from the Government of Canada and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
Mr. Dongyu emphasized that the SRVALI project is a testament to Iraq's strong national ownership, inter-ministerial coordination, and efforts to deliver sustainable solutions to those most affected by climate change. He commended the Ministries of Environment, Water Resources, Planning, and Agriculture for their exemplary partnership throughout the project's development.
Iraqi Minister of Environment, H.E. Dr. Halo Al-Askari, highlighted that addressing climate change is a top priority for the Iraqi government, integral to the transition towards a sustainable green economy and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including the eradication of hunger and poverty. The Minister of Water Resources, H.E. Dr. Aoun Diab Al-Abdullah, stated that the project represents a significant step toward achieving development goals through field interventions and sustainable infrastructure development. He affirmed the Ministry's full commitment to supporting the project's efficient implementation in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, ensuring benefits for Iraq's water and agricultural sectors.
The initiative encompasses upgrading irrigation systems to enhance water use efficiency, deploying solar-powered irrigation solutions, reclaiming degraded farmlands, and promoting sustainable land and water management practices. Additionally, it focuses on strengthening Water User Associations, empowering rural women and youth, and introducing digital tools and early warning systems to mitigate risks and build resilience. Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Eng. Abbas Jabr Al-Maliki, noted that the project's launch results from extensive collaboration with FAO and the GCF, significantly contributing to combating climate change and advancing Iraq's agricultural strategy goals.
Ghulam Mohamed Isaczai, UN Deputy Special Representative, Resident Coordinator, and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, remarked that establishing Iraq's first-ever GCF financing is a significant achievement in national climate finance, reflecting Iraq's dedication to building climate resilience, enhancing food security, and transitioning towards a more sustainable and inclusive economy.
Mr. Dongyu concluded by highlighting that the event's timing with the Water Conference underscores that climate resilience begins with water. He reiterated FAO's commitment to supporting digital water management through tools like the FAO WaPOR platform and promoting community-level water governance through climate-smart solutions. This event also marks Iraq's growing prominence on the international stage, showcasing leadership and vision through initiatives such as the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, the One Country One Priority Product platform, and the World Food Forum.
(Source: FAO)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Around 60 French companies to invest in Kurdistan Region: Official
Around 60 French companies to invest in Kurdistan Region: Official

Rudaw Net

time2 hours ago

  • Rudaw Net

Around 60 French companies to invest in Kurdistan Region: Official

Also in Kurdistan Over 30 Westerners invited to PKK disarmament ceremony: Source Youth migration intensifies in Sulaimani town amid economic despair KRG delegation in Baghdad to discuss financial disputes Sulaimani town uses cameras, fines to curb littering A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Some 60 French companies are set to visit and invest in the Kurdistan Region in the coming days as part of efforts between Erbil and Paris to strengthen bilateral ties, a Kurdish official said on Monday. 'Fifty to 60 French companies were supposed to visit the Kurdistan Region this month, but due to the Iran-Israel war and the instability of the regional airspace, it was postponed a bit. Now we are in contact with the French consulate [in Erbil] to determine an appropriate time,' Bargasht Akreyi, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region's Board of Investment, told Rudaw on Monday. The initiative is expected to create thousands of job opportunities and pave the way for French brands to establish a presence in the Region. Akreyi further stated that the expected investment of French companies in the Kurdistan Region "will lead to the creation of thousands of job opportunities." The companies are from the agriculture, energy, technology, and tourism sectors, according to Akreyi. They are set to meet with local companies in the same fields to foster mutual understanding. "Several famous French brands are set to open branches of their companies in the Kurdistan Region,' he noted. Officials and business leaders from Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and France met in Paris in May for a major forum to boost trade and investment, with Baghdad and Erbil pushing to expand international partnerships by presenting the country as stable, attractive destination for foreign companies. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been stepping up efforts to diversify the economy by strengthening the private sector. As of May 2024, French investments in the Kurdistan Region stood at around $3 billion across multiple sectors, according to France's Consul General in Erbil Yann Braem. The bond between France and the Kurdish people dates back to the 1980s, when Danielle Mitterrand, then First Lady of France, became a vocal advocate for Kurds oppressed under the regime of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Mitterand played an instrumental role in the establishment of the no-fly zone over the Kurdistan Region after the 1991 Gulf War, providing protection that enabled Kurds to establish autonomy. She remains affectionately known as the 'Mother of the Kurds' and inaugurated the first Kurdish parliament in 1992. France was also among the first nations to open a consulate in Erbil after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, and played a critical role in supporting Kurdish and Iraqi forces during the war against the Islamic State (ISIS) that began in 2014. Solin Hamadamin contributed to this article.

Iraq's supreme court rejects political interference
Iraq's supreme court rejects political interference

Shafaq News

time2 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iraq's supreme court rejects political interference

Shafaq News - Baghdad On Monday, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court rejected any political interference in its affairs, emphasizing its independence in decision-making. Following its first meeting under the leadership of newly appointed Chief Justice Munthir Ibrahim, the court announced in a statement its commitment to constitutional duties. It also stressed its neutrality and pledged to maintain equal distance from all political actors, noting that its primary mission remains upholding Iraq's political system and safeguarding the constitutional rights of all Iraqi communities. Reiterating their respect for the legislative and executive branches, the justices pointed out that the court would not intervene in their core functions unless there is a constitutional violation, at which point a constitutional case may be filed, in line with the principle of separation of powers. Regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections, the court clarified that its role is strictly defined in the constitution, and it will not become involved in political disputes related to the electoral process.

KRG delegation in Baghdad to discuss financial disputes
KRG delegation in Baghdad to discuss financial disputes

Rudaw Net

time4 hours ago

  • Rudaw Net

KRG delegation in Baghdad to discuss financial disputes

Also in Kurdistan Sulaimani town uses cameras, fines to curb littering Turkish soldier death toll from methane exposure in Kurdistan Region rises to 12 Five Turkish officers killed due to methane gas exposure in Kurdistan Region Why did PKK pick Sulaimani for first disarmament? A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) arrived in Baghdad on Monday as the regional and federal governments near a final agreement to end their financial disputes, a well-informed source told Rudaw. The delegation includes Kamal Mohammed, KRG's acting minister of natural resources and KRG Cabinet Secretary Amanj Rahim, the source told Rudaw, on the condition of anonymity. This delegation's visit comes as Baghdad has prepared a draft agreement on oil exports and is awaiting Erbil's response, expected later on Monday. The KRG delegation had begun its meetings with the federal authorities by the time of reporting. A source close to the KRG, speaking to Rudaw on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions on Sunday, confirmed that the proposed arrangement is "in its final stages." Under the deal, the "KRG will hand over all crude oil produced to Baghdad. In return, the Iraqi federal government will be responsible for supplying the Kurdistan Region with its domestic needs for refined petroleum products,' the source added. Oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been suspended since March 2023, following an arbitration ruling in Paris that found Turkey had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by enabling Erbil to independently export oil in 2014. Last week, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated that the halt has resulted in more than $25 billion in lost revenues for the KRG. Sangar Abdulrahman contributed to this article.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store