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The Iraqi Finance Minister discusses in Vienna the threats to food security and combating climate change


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An appeal to combat drought and desertification

United Nations: Iraq is fifth in the list of countries most affected by climate change

2022.06.17 - 12:28
United Nations: Iraq is fifth in the list of countries most affected by climate change
 

Baghdad - people  

On Friday, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations called for action and measures to support Iraq in managing water resources and adapting to climate change, on the International Day to Combat Drought and Desertification.  

  

 

And the United Nations said in a statement, of which “Nass” received a copy, (17 June 2022), that “at a time when Iraq is facing multiple and exacerbating challenges caused by climate changes, including long heat waves, low rainfall, shortage and loss of land. fertile soil, salinity of soil, insufficient investments in infrastructure, lack of transboundary water, and the spread of dust storms, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations in Iraq are commemorating the International Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, with a call to action and to take measures to protect the country from the devastating effects.

And she continued, "Iraq is among the top five countries most affected by climate change, and ranked 39th among the most water-stressed countries. The record drop in rainfall last year - the second driest season in 40 years - led to water shortages, desertification and erosion. Soil due to unsustainable agricultural practices and damage and shrinkage of vegetation cover. The conflict has destroyed land and water sources in Iraq, causing more soil erosion and pollution, while political uncertainty poses challenges to environmental management.”  

She noted that "the sharp decline in agricultural land, biodiversity in agriculture, land and soil degradation, and increase in sand dunes led to increased burden and pressure, which led to the migration and death of animals. Examples of this are the multiple dust storms that the country has witnessed so far in 2022." Which caused human deaths, or the drying up of Lake Sawa in Muthanna Governorate this year due to the water crisis.The forecasts to 2040, which are left unchecked, show increasing pressure and stress on Iraq’s water resources, which also face significant challenges from pollution caused by the industry Oil and sewage, poor environmental management, and fires.  

She added, "Combined with water scarcity and scarcity, the removal of topsoil and reduced land productivity has reduced food production in Iraq. A survey conducted in 2021, covering 7 governorates, showed that 37% of wheat farmers and 30% of barley farmers suffer from Crops have failed. At the same time, revenues and incomes have fallen as farmers do not have harvested crops to sell, which directly affects food security."

She indicated that "the four million people who live in the Basra Governorate, which is downstream in Iraq, are the most affected by water scarcity and scarcity. Iraq's marshes, with their deep cultural and human heritage, and their natural resources for livelihoods, were in the past representing the first line of defense against climate change and environmental damage." The lowering of the water level in the two once great rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, has led to higher levels of salt and a deterioration in the quality and quality of the water.With annual evaporation of up to 3 meters and lower river water, seawater moved upriver and into the Gouma, destroying 60,000 An acre (ha) of agricultural land and 30,000 trees.  

She explained that "until March 2022, an estimated 3,000 families displaced due to drought and environmental degradation have been registered in 8 governorates in central and southern Iraq. Recent studies have shown that water scarcity is one of the main drivers of migration from rural to urban areas, along with challenges facing sustainable agriculture and food security.

He noted that "desertification and water scarcity disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. Vulnerable families, who have already experienced conflict and displacement, are now at risk of falling into the cycle of poverty for a longer period. Of particular concern is children in rural areas, who have missed out on education opportunities due to conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, who may now be forced to resort to child labor and early marriage to financially help their families meet their basic water and food needs.”  

On the other hand, she said, “Girls and women face increased vulnerability due to water scarcity, largely due to gender inequality. Indeed, limited access to clean water affects menstrual hygiene, compromising the health and dignity of women and girls Climate-related disasters overburden Iraq’s already overstretched health systems Without medical support during the birth process, the risk of preventable maternal deaths increases Rising tensions coupled with a breakdown in social cohesion may lead to an increase in gender-based violence (sexuality), including sexual violence.”

With the joint support of local and international actors, Iraq can work to overcome national and regional political uncertainty to mitigate the effects of climate change, land degradation, and address transnational water management. National and local authorities can promptly pursue legislation and improved practices required for water consumption. and sustainable water management.

She said, "The United Nations Decade for Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems around the world. The United Nations and NGOs in Iraq are working with the Iraqi government and universities on smart monitoring systems to track progress or regression in environmental and climate goals." water resources and land use. This data is critical to providing decision makers with the knowledge needed to take action and formulate policies. Information is shared with communities to publicly support action planning and community-led decision-making on drought prevention."  

She stressed that "what is required is the stabilization and stability of the soil and the protection of its vegetation cover by encouraging the efficient use of water, renewing water reservoirs, rehabilitating the infrastructure of the irrigation system, planting more trees, forests and shrubs, as well as planting sustainable green belts around cities, and controlling mining activities, Improving soil quality and protecting it from salinity through more sustainable agricultural techniques Providing environmentally friendly irrigation solutions, rehabilitating and building farmers’ skills, for example drip irrigation and smart irrigation types, would save water and have a positive impact on society local, local authorities and national government to international actors: only together, with the support of all, can we ensure a healthy future for Iraq’s land, water, and the people who depend on it.”  

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IRAQ REQUIRES STRUCTURAL REFORM TO OVERCOME ECONOMIC RISKS—WORLD BANK

 

https://nrttv.com/En/detail6/3775

 

SULAIMANI— The World Bank has warned Iraq of the economic impacts of climate change and has called for "structural" reforms to overcome economic challenges.

The representative of the World Bank in Iraq, Ramzi al-Naaman, said in a TV interview with al-Hurra on Tuesday (June 22) that Iraq must hasten the formation of its government that "adopts the path of reform" quickly.

Al-Naaman was commenting on a recent report by the World Bank published on June 16, which says while Iraq is coming out of a deep recession and its economy is expected to grow between 2022 and 2024, "the country's macroeconomic outlook is subject to a significant degree of risk due to high dependence on oil, budget rigidities, and delays in the formation of a new government."

The report highlighted the risks of oil dependency, which "also hurt the domestic drive for reforms, thereby deepening structural economic challenges."

The bank said Iraq needs to "undertake urgent, wide-ranging structural reforms by drawing on fiscal space resulting from its recent oil windfall."

"Reorienting government expenditure toward programs that improve growth is critical for economic diversification and job creation, and for addressing the country's human capital crisis."

Food security

The World Bank has said that Iraq's existing food security challenges have intensified due to the surge in global commodity prices as the country's domestic food production can not meet the demands of the rising population.

Iraq has faced a food shortage, and the Iraqi Parliament has debated a bill on food security and development to maintain a food-rationing program amid the increasing food price worldwide.

The bank added that climate change factors such as severe droughts had worsened the situation.

In addition, delays in government formation and barriers in private sector development have further exacerbated the risks.

Iraq's Parliament has failed to form a new government after the 2021 October election due to the political dispute between the political blocs.

"Further delays in government formation and in the ratification of the 2022 budget could restrict the use of the country's revenue windfall from oil as de-facto limits from the 2021 budget are reached, and new investment projects are put on hold, which could reduce economic growth."

(NRT Digital Media)

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The World Bank warns of the “most dangerous crisis” and praises the “white paper”
 

Baghdad - people  

The World Bank warned, on Tuesday, of the risks of climate impact on the economic reform efforts led by the Iraqi government, in the field of combating desertification and confronting drought.   

  

 

The Special Representative of the World Bank in Iraq, Ramzi Numan, said in an interview with Al-Hurra channel, followed by "Nass" (June 22, 2022): "Economic reform must coincide and harmonize with looking at the climatic effects in the country."  

  

He explained that "Iraq is an oil country (with distinction) and depends on oil for its economy, while the world began (by placing restrictions on crude oil), and if these restrictions are placed on oil and on oil exports, Iraq must take (reform) steps, otherwise global markets will become closed to Iraqi oil.  

  

He pointed out that "Iraq is on the verge of a crisis that may be the most dangerous, which is the crisis of climatic impacts, and how the Iraqi economy can adapt to these climatic effects according to the development plans set by the government, and how the process of gradual transition towards a clean economy will be, with the financial and economic consequences that it entails and on level of human capital.  

  

He explained that "climate changes affected the quality and quality of available water, which negatively affected agricultural lands, increased desertification rates, and prompted the migration of citizens from the countryside to the city."  

  

He added, "The climate also had an impact on food security in the country, as food and agricultural production declined, which had repercussions now due to the rise in commodity prices at the global level and also because of the Ukraine crisis, which was considered one of the most important sources of food in the world."  

  

Noman says that "the World Bank sees that Iraq is currently going through a period of growth, after reaching 11 percent in 2021, compared to stagnation in 2020 due to low oil prices and a decrease in economic activity due to Covid-19," noting "while things are going better with Increasing oil revenues, the structural crises that afflicted the Iraqi economy in the past still exist, and therefore the risks remain for the economy even with the rise in oil revenues.  

He stressed the importance of "looking at the reforms at this stage, taking into account the importance of addressing the social crises that may arise as a result of some of these steps, and it is necessary to work on approaching them in a way that prevents the occurrence of the most vulnerable groups by increasing poverty and increasing unemployment."  

  

Noman described the government's current economic plan known as the "white paper" as "it may be one of the most comprehensive approaches at this stage to envision the Iraqi economic future in the medium and long term."  

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Economy News-Baghdad
The World Bank warned of the risks of climate impacts on Iraq, from an economic point of view, and while it called for "structural" reforms and for the formation of an Iraqi government, the doors of the world would be closed to Iraqi oil if this economic approach was continued.

The Special Representative of the Bank in Iraq, Ramzi Noman, said in an interview that "economic reform must coincide and harmonize with looking at the climatic effects in the country."

He added that Iraq is an oil country par excellence and depends on oil in its economy, while the world has begun "to place restrictions on crude oil," stressing that "if these restrictions are placed on oil and on oil exports, Iraq must take (reform) steps, otherwise global markets will become closed to Iraqi oil.

He explained, that Iraq is on the verge of a "crisis that may be the most dangerous", which is the crisis of climate impacts, "and how can the Iraqi economy adapt to these climatic effects according to the development plans set by the government, and how the process of gradual transition towards a clean economy will be, with the financial consequences of that." economic and human capital.

Noman pointed to the climatic changes that Iraq is going through, stressing that they "affected the quality and quality of the available water, which negatively affected agricultural lands, increased desertification rates, and prompted the migration of citizens from the countryside to the city."

The World Bank official said that the climate also had an "impact on food security" in the country, as food and agricultural production declined, which had consequences "currently caused by the rise in commodity prices at the global level and also because of the Ukraine crisis, which was considered one of the most important sources of food in the world." ".

Noman pointed out that the World Bank sees that Iraq is currently going through a period of growth, after reaching 11 percent in 2021, compared to stagnation in 2020 due to low oil prices and a decrease in economic activity due to Covid-19, noting that "while things are going better with Increasing oil revenues, the structural crises that afflicted the Iraqi economy previously are still present, and therefore the risks remain for the economy even with the rise in oil revenues.

He stressed the importance of "looking at reforms at this stage and that the government should look at reform in an integrated manner", taking into account the importance of "addressing the social crises that may arise as a result of some of these steps, and it is necessary to work on approaching them in a way that prevents the occurrence of the most vulnerable groups by increasing poverty and increasing The unemployment".

And he continued, "Iraq has gone through multiple crises as a result of the drop in oil prices," stressing that "the World Bank has repeatedly spoken about the importance of economic diversification and the importance of looking at non-oil sectors that can be invested in to increase growth, create job opportunities and open the way for investment, especially private sector investments. ".

Noman pointed to a decline in services, an increase in poverty rates, and an increase in regional differences between the different governorates, stressing that "in a society 60 percent of it is under thirty years old and there is a population increase, it is very important to take into account the availability of resources."

He added that "the increase in the population at a time when food is lacking as a result of low agricultural work and the high prices of food commodities in the world and their shortage in some places puts us in front of a dilemma that manifests itself seriously, which is the issue of food security, and this is a national danger."

He added: "Iraq is facing a reality that is reflected in the fact that the largest percentage of spending is on salaries and pensions, in the absence of the investment aspect that allows creating job opportunities."

  
 

 

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Added 06/22/22 - 10:13 AM
Update 06/22/22 2022 - 5:09 PM
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The Iraqi wealthy won't give a fat rats arse owing to decades of money laundering squirreling away $$$$$ in foreign bank accounts. They'll just disappear in the middle of the night leaving Iraq to it's fate.

Let's just call climate change for what it is. It's happening because that's what a planet does for goodness sakes. 

However, it's all about all the various agendas around the world and has precious little to actually being responsible in the face of Earth against it's main nemesis - Humans.

Remember Ed Wood's hilariously awful movie Plan 9 From Outer Space 🌌 ? Well there's one line in the movie that laughingly says it all when the " Alien " says the " Earthlings " ... " All you Earth people are IDIOTS " ... Great, Cut, Print that's a wrap - and the lights fade, dim then all is dark. 😎

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June 23, 2022
 
 
289229393_409683887841047_57548950451267

 

Finance Minister Ali Abdel Amir Allawi discussed today, Thursday, in the Austrian capital Vienna, threats to food security and the fight against climate change.

And the Ministry of Finance stated in a statement: "Allawi participated in the forty-third session of the OPEC Fund Development Forum, held in the Austrian capital, Vienna, for the period from 21-22 of this month."

She explained: "The participation program of the Minister of Finance included holding several meetings and bilateral meetings with leaders and representatives of the countries represented in the forum to discuss strengthening joint economic relations among member states."

According to the statement, Allawi said: "The forum's work aims to enhance aspects of cooperation between countries around the world, open financing opportunities, and enhance international efforts to achieve development through international events."

He pointed out: “The forum discussed the current challenges posed by threats to food security and combating climate change,” stressing “the importance of pushing forward the great developmental impacts and achieving a just transition of energy, as it is the main engine and active element in achieving sustainable development.”

The ministry added: “During the 43rd Cabinet meeting, several topics were considered and viewed, most notably: the annual report of the OPEC Fund for Development for the fiscal year 2021 and the report of the external auditor, and consideration of the approval of the distribution of the net income of the OPEC Fund for the regular fiscal year 2021 and the appointment of the external auditor, as well as For reviewing the developments of the OPEC Fund for Development borrowing program and the latest developments in the arrears of payment of member states, and the determination of the place and date of the Ministerial Council meeting for the year 2023 was also discussed.

It is noteworthy that the forum is being held with the participation of leaders of governments and partner countries of the Fund, heads of institutions of the Arab Coordination Group, officials of development banks and international organizations, in addition to representatives of the private sector and a group of specialized experts.

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