PJTF, Karimi Alaka Foundation Host Scientific Forum on Climate Change

PJTF's Media

President Jalal Talabani Foundation (PJTF) and the Karimi Alaka Foundation at the event.

President Jalal Talabani Foundation (PJTF) and the Karimi Alaka Foundation jointly organised a scientific environmental forum titled “Climate Change and Environmental Issues” in Sulaymaniyah on Saturday.

The event was held under the supervision of Ambassador Dr Muhammad Sabir, President of the PJTF; Dr Ali Wahab Mandalawi, Director-General of the Southern Area Environmental Protection and Improvement Office and representative of Iraq’s Minister of Environment; and Halkawt Abdurrahman, Director-General of Forestry and Parks at the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, representing the KRG Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources.

Opening the forum, Dr Sabir stressed the urgency of tackling environmental challenges amid the region’s worsening drought. He called for “serious planning, effort, and action” to safeguard water, air, and soil, urging citizens to become “friends of the environment” through awareness campaigns, education, and community initiatives. He emphasised that every day should be treated as Environment Day.

Dr Mandalawi warned that Iraq is already experiencing severe impacts of climate change, including an escalating water crisis, shrinking agricultural lands, increased desertification, disrupted ecosystems, extreme heatwaves, soil degradation, and declining agricultural output.

Mr Abdurrahman highlighted the Kurdistan Region’s limited institutional capacity to address climate change due to budgetary constraints, urging stronger coordination between civil society and government to develop mitigation measures.

The forum also featured research presentations from academics and specialists:

- Dr Karzan Abdullah (Sulaimani Polytechnic University): The Impact of Climate on Human Health

- Dr Zhino Khalid (University of Sulaimani): Natural Solutions to Mitigate Climate Change – Adaptation

- Dr Razan Omar (University of Sulaimani): The Role of Soil in Climate Change

- Dr Motalib Rafat (Garmian University): Climate Change and Its Effects on the Garmian Area

Ms Yerevan Shaswar (MSc in Atmospheric Pollution): Climate Change and Its Impact on Air Pollution

Discussions explored solutions, local impacts, and public awareness strategies, with both foundations pledging to expand cooperation with local and regional authorities to address climate challenges.



PUKMEDIA