On Saturday, August 9, 2025, under the supervision of Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir, President of the President Jalal Talabani Foundation,and Sulaimani Governor Haval Abubakir and Dr. Ali Wahab Mandalawi, Director-General of the Southern Area Environmental Protection and Improvement Office and representative of the Iraqi Minister of Environment, along with Halkawt Abdurrahman, Director-General of Forestry and Parks at the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and representative of the KRG Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, the President Jalal Talabani Foundation and the Karimi Alaka Foundation organized a joint scientific environmental Forum titled "Climate Change and Environmental Issues" in the city of Sulaymaniyah.
At the beginning of the Forum, Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir delivered a joint speech on behalf of both foundations, stating: "This forum is critically important at this time, as our region is facing the disaster of drought. Thus, Addressing it requires serious planning, effort, and action to preserve water, air, and soil."
The President of the President Jalal Talabani Foundation added: "Our foremost duty is to ensure that we and the public become environmental protectors, environmentalists, and friends of the environment. We must strive to protect and preserve the environment and make our country green—whether through spreading awareness, educating those around us, or using media and placing posters in tourist areas."
Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Sabir also noted: "It is well known that April 16 is recognized as Environment Day, and environmental parties and organizations intensify their activities on that day. However, we must make every day Environment Day, since our lives depend on the environment."
Dr. Ali Wahab Mandalawi gave a speech during the forum, saying: "I am pleased to speak today about one of the most dangerous challenges humanity faces in this era: the climate change crisis."
The Director-General of Southern Area Environmental Protection and Improvement Office stated: "In Iraq, we are witnessing severe and clear impacts of this phenomenon. Climate change has deepened the water crisis, reduced agricultural lands, increased desertification, and disrupted natural ecosystems, along with recurring heatwaves that directly affect citizens' health and quality of life, as well as soil degradation and agricultural production."
Halkawt Abdurrahman, Director-General of Forestry and Parks at the KRG Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, said in his speech: "One of the most significant factors weakening the role of government institutions in addressing climate change in the Kurdistan Region is the lack of budget and budgetary laws."
He added: "I hope both foundations will make this the starting point of their work and coordinate with local and regional governments to carry out diverse activities to mitigate climate change."
"Climate Change and Environmental Issues" was a joint scientific environmental forum organized by both the President Jalal Talabani Foundation and the Karimi Alaka Foundation.
During the forum, several specialized researchers presented their studies, observations, and recommendations on these issues, discussing solutions, impacts, and awareness-raising.
Participating researchers in the meeting:
- Dr. Karzan Abdullah (Sulaimani Polytechnic University) presented a study titled "The Impact of Climate on Human Health."
- Dr. Zhino Khalid (University of Sulaimani) presented a study titled "Natural Solutions to Mitigate Climate Change – Adaptation."
- Dr. Razan Omar (University of Sulaimani) presented a study titled "The Role of Soil in Climate Change."
- Dr. Motalib Rafat (Garmian University) presented a study titled "Climate Change and Its Effects on the Garmian Area."
- Ms. Yerevan Shaswar (Master’s in Atmospheric Pollution) presented a study titled "Climate Change and Its Impact on Air Pollution."