Baghdad: During its participation in the Arab Media Conference in Baghdad, UNESCO stressed the importance of the media’s role in confronting climate challenges and the harsh impacts of climate change. UNESCO’s Representative in Iraq, Taps Raj Pant, highlighted the need for journalism to raise environmental awareness and address the climate risks that Iraq faces.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Taps Raj Pant discussed the role of international organizations in addressing climate challenges during a dialogue session at the Fourth Arab Media Conference. He emphasized UNESCO’s “Journalism for the Planet” initiative, launched last year in Iraq, which focuses on the role of journalism in highlighting environmental issues. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the climate risks threatening Iraq, a country significantly affected by geographic and climatic changes.

Pant noted that the initiative, introduced on World Press Freedom Day 2024, was a pioneering effort to introduce the concept of climate justice. He mentioned that regions like Basra suffer from environmental pollution due to oil activities, despite their economic contributions. He urged the Iraqi government to bolster its support for environmental media and fulfill its commitments to international climate agreements. Pant also stressed the readiness of the international community to support efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and global warming.