On Monday, February 24, 2025, Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir, President of the President Jalal Talabani Foundation, along with an accompanying delegation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Baghdad with Dr. Halo Askari, the Iraqi Minister of Environment.
Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir affirmed the Foundation’s support for the Ministry of Environment through capacity building, active participation, environmental awareness promotion, and sustainability support. This includes highlighting environmental education and implementing educational programs such as training courses, workshops, and seminars.
The Memorandum of Understanding emphasized “raising environmental awareness, afforestation of areas, enhancing green spaces, and completing projects aimed at expanding the green belt.”
For his part, Dr. Halo Askari stated: “We attach great importance to the proposed initiatives, and the Ministry is ready to cooperate, exchange expertise, and utilize available resources to serve the environment in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.” He added: “We will actively participate in improving environmental issues and finding solutions, emphasizing the urgent need for environmental institutions to collaborate in addressing environmental and climate changes and mitigating their negative impacts through coordinated efforts among all parties.”
In turn, the President of the Jalal Talabani Foundation stated, “We have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between the Foundation and the Ministry of Environment, and we will work diligently to implement it in the near future, making every effort to execute its recommendations.” Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir also stressed “the establishment of a joint action plan between both parties to help reduce negative environmental impacts.”