The Minister of Environment announces launching two important projects to reduce the effects of chemical pollution in Iraq

INA-  Baghdad

Minister of Environment Nizar Amidi announced Thursday the launch of chemical projects in Iraq in cooperation with the World Bank and with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), at a value of $20 million, while noting that these projects represent a qualitative transition in the file of reducing chemical pollution.

Amidi said, in a press conference on the occasion of signing the launch of chemical projects in cooperation with the World Bank, and was attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the effectiveness of signing the launch of chemical projects in cooperation with the World Bank includes the launch of two important projects to reduce the effects of chemical pollution in Iraq in cooperation with the Bank." and with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

For his part, Ali Al-Lami, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Environment and Climate Affairs, said during the conference, "The agreement will focus on two important axes, the first of which is the start of the activities of the national implementation plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, to which Iraq officially joined under Law 45 of 2015," pointing to "The implementation of this project will be carried out in coordination with all national partners in the Ministries of Electricity, Agriculture, Industry, Minerals, Construction, Housing and Municipalities."

He said that , "In light of the results of the evaluation in the first phase, sites will be selected for environmental cleaning and rehabilitation, in order to enhance the support of local communities to restore stability to these areas and provide a clean and safe environment for the continuation of reconstruction work in the liberated governorates," expressing his hope that "the two projects will be implemented with logistical and technical support from the UN Development program."