Environmental study trip for Iraqi parliamentarians and government representatives

Iraq is gravely impacted by the consequences of climate change, facing water scarcity, decline in agricultural land, desertification, etc. Unfortunately, the country lacks any strong environmental policies. Supporting the establishment of an environmental institute is a necessary step within a framework of measures to stabilise the country and prevent climate-induced migration. The success of environmental policies such as clean water and stable energy supplies, can help to reduce the high level of dissatisfaction in the country. Such policies would show that the government is acting in the interest of the population. The establishment and tasks of the Environmental Institute should be integrated into a medium-term strategy that also strengthens scientific education and environmental administration.

Based on this idea, elbarlament organised a study trip for an Iraqi delegation consisting of Mrs. Dr. Sarbagh Salih, First Lady of Iraq,  Dr. Jassim Alfalahi, Deputy Minister of Environment and Health,  Dr. Abdulbary Almudarris,  MP, Council of Representatives and Mohammed Taher Al- Tamimi, General Director of the NGO Directorate and Chairman of the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers in October 2019.

Despite its short length, the delegation had the opportunity to visit and hear from important stakeholders in German state institutions (Federal Environment Ministry, Federal Environment Agency, Baden-Württemberg state representation), as well as independent institutions (Sustainability Council, Helmholtz Research Institute UfZ, as well as NGOs such as the Nature Conservation Association or the Eco Institute).

This study trip served as a basis for our other Environment and Climate Change projects that took place since.

Despite the short length of the trip, participants gained a wealth of information