Baghdad: The Ministry of Environment participated in a workshop aimed at enhancing environmental justice, strengthening law enforcement, and combating corruption. The event gathered representatives from various departments within the Ministry, including the Legal Department, Technical Department, Planning and Follow-up Department, and the National Center for Climate Change. This workshop was part of the “Anti-Corruption and Arbitration Initiatives for Environmental Justice” project, coordinated with the Supreme Judicial Council and the Integrity Commission, and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Dr. Talal Badr Abdullah, the project coordinator from the Ministry of Environment and Director of the Agreements Section in the Legal Department, highlighted the workshop’s objective to enhance the relationship between the Ministry’s environmental oversight and the Integrity Commission’s role in combating corruption. This collaboration was a result of meetings between the Director General of the Ministry’s Legal Department, UNDP representatives, and the Integrity Commission, aimed at bolstering the enforcement of environmental laws.

The workshop’s first day included two important lectures by ministry representatives. Dr. Talal Badr Abdullah addressed international law and environmental agreements, while Chief Engineer Ghaith Mahdi Hamdi from the National Center for Climate Change discussed climate change policy and the ministry’s role in its implementation.

The event underscored the need for improved institutional coordination among entities involved in environmental justice. This coordination seeks to support the enforcement of environmental legislation, reduce violations and corruption, and enhance governance within public institutions.