Iraq is the host and main speaker on the International Day to Combat Sand and Dust Storms at the United Nations headquarters in New York

Iraq, Iran, and Senegal hosted an important event at the United Nations, with high-level participation from member states, specialized international agencies, and programs concerned with the environment, on the occasion of the International Day to Combat Sand and Dust Storms, which was adopted in the United Nations General Assembly, with the effective contribution of Iraq and countries affected by this phenomenon in the whole world.

The Chargé d’Affairs of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Abbas Kadhom Obaid, in his capacity as one of the hosts of the event and one of the main speakers, delivered a speech in which he expressed Iraq’s concerns regarding this sensitive and important file. The speech included praise for the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and international agencies in assisting Iraq, through technical institutions, in developing realistic plans with a tangible impact to reduce these storms and their harmful effects on various sectors in the country, including agriculture, health, and the economy.

Dr. Obaid stressed that Iraq is sparing no effort in addressing this phenomenon, as it is working locally to establish green belts around Iraqi cities and governorates, and to expand the uses of clean energy. In addition, Iraq is cooperating with countries in the region and the world to address water scarcity, build capacity, and invest in research and modern technology to manage and maximize resources.

He pointed out that Iraq looks at these storms comprehensively and is trying with all its partners from countries and institutions concerned to find the best solutions, because it is a cross-border issue with its causes and effects on humans, the environment, and the development process. Therefore, it is necessary to combine regional and international efforts through international cooperation and collective action to address it