INA - BAGHDAD

PM Mohammed S. Al-Sudani confirmed on Tuesday that pollution is the result of wrong policies in dealing with projects while indicating that Nahrawan brick factories are a 'focal point' of emissions.

Al-Sudani spoke at the beginning of the forty-second cabinet session on the subject of air pollution in the city of Baghdad, noting that "the committee assigned to submit its report in this regard, and reviewing a set of treatments taken by the government within the framework of preserving the environment, where he stressed that "environmental challenges are at the forefront of the challenges facing the state today," according to the PM's media office statement - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

The Prime Minister added that "pollution doubles the challenges of climate change and is the result of wrong policies in dealing with projects that contribute to pollution," stressing that "state agencies are working to reduce pollution by emphasizing instructions and regulations that protect the environment."

"We started by reducing gas flaring. We are proceeding to zero gas flaring by 2028, and stop greenhouse gas emissions, especially in oil-producing provinces. We formed a committee regarding waste recycling and electricity generation. We started working through the Baghdad Municipality, the Investment Authority, and in communication with foreign companies," he added.

The Prime Minister stated that "the brick factories in Nahrawan are a focal point of pollution emissions, and they must be converted to using gas or transferred outside Baghdad," while stressing "the commitment to implementing the recommendations and allocating the necessary funds to the Ministry of Environment to accomplish what is required of it."

"The Ministry of Environment, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, must review the projects adopted by the government in its program to address pollution," he pointed out, noting that "to provide green cover, we headed to the Rashid Camp land, as Baghdad needs green spaces. We provided returns to investors to establish the project.

He indicated that "the Baghdad Metro project is part of the solutions, and these projects represent a qualitative leap in the issue of addressing pollution, as we directed the ministries and relevant authorities to expedite their completion."