The National Youth Team Conference on Climate Change kicks off in Baghdad

 

 Baghdad - INA

The National Youth Team Conference on Climate Change, under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, has commenced.

During his address at the conference, Ali Hilal, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Executive Director of the Higher Youth Council, stated, "The National Team is a program through which the Higher Youth Council aims to enhance youth efforts in tackling environmental challenges and climate change." He highlighted that "youth innovation and fertile ideas contribute significantly to mitigating these environmental impacts on the country."

He added that "the conference aims to unify visions, energies, and youth experiences to develop solutions for environmental impacts in Iraq."

In turn, Deputy Minister of Environment, Iktefaa Al-Hasnawi, remarked during the conference, "This conference sheds light on the role of youth in combating the negative effects of climate change." She pointed out that "the world has entered a new phase where the environmental sector has become a fundamental player in political, health, diplomatic, and economic issues."

She further explained that "due to increased attention to the environmental sector in Iraq, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani has designated 2024 as the Year of the Environment in Iraq."

 She highlighted achievements such as "joining the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, issuing the Nationally Determined Contributions document submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat, aiming for ambitious high-level policies, enhancing resilience towards climate change, integrating climate action into national plans, policies, and legislation, promoting economic diversification and transitioning towards sustainable green economies, expanding renewable energy usage, deploying clean technologies, and transferring modern technologies to minimize greenhouse gas emissions as supporting youth and civil society organizations is crucial to achieving sustainable development goals by 2030."

She emphasized that "youth play a vital role in addressing climate change, with growing environmental awareness and utilizing their skills for climate action," affirming that "the Ministry of Environment is committed to assisting all sectors of society in carrying out environmental tasks and addressing climate change."