COP29: Iraq rejects fossil fuels phasedown

INA-  BAGHDAD


The Parliamentary Health and Environment Committee announced on Monday the Iraqi delegation's refusal to phase out fossil fuels during its participation in the United Nations Climate Summit COP29, stressing that Iraq seeks to adapt to global environmental standards in line with local privacy.
 
The head of the committee, MP Majid Shankali, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The Iraqi parliament in this session paid great attention to attending climate conferences, as we participated in COP27 and 28, and today in COP29 in Baku."
 
Shankali added that "the participation of the parliamentary delegation in the COP29 conference came to follow up the work of the negotiating delegation and keep abreast of the latest developments in the conference," noting that "the climate conference focused on important issues, most notably the gradual phasedown of fossil fuels, which is one of the main pillars of the Iraqi economy, which we completely reject."

"There is a proposal from Azerbaijan to support developing countries by oil countries, but this proposal was rejected, because most oil-producing countries are themselves developing countries," he said. 

 He pointed out that "the active political presence of the President of the Republic, undersecretaries of ministries and executive bodies, in addition to the legislative support of the Iraqi parliament, strengthens Iraq's position in these conferences, especially since it will assume the presidency of the G7 Plus summit with China in the next session." 

 The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, participated in the United Nations Climate Summit COP29, which was held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku from November 12 to 13, which was attended by a large number of United Nations member states in addition to governmental and non-governmental organizations.