Baghdad:Iraq’s Ministry of Environment has declared an environmental state of emergency and introduced a platform to monitor and address pollution across the nation. This initiative is part of a broader national effort involving various state institutions and relevant bodies to identify and combat pollution sources.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the platform was unveiled during an expanded meeting chaired by First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Adnan Faihan. The meeting, which focused on addressing environmental challenges and risks, included participation from the Ministers of Water Resources and Environment, as well as the Governor and Mayor of Baghdad. Other attendees were representatives from relevant ministries, agencies, and parliamentary committees.
Faihan highlighted that environmental pollution poses a significant threat to the health and safety of citizens in various governorates. He called for an integrated approach, combining government and societal efforts, to implement a comprehensive emergency plan with practical measures that deliver tangible results for the environment.
Minister of Environment Sarwa Abdul-Wahid emphasized the need for urgent and comprehensive government action, supported by accurate data to identify pollution’s scale, locations, and sources. She underlined that tackling environmental issues requires financial and technical resources and enhanced coordination among state institutions for an effective response.
The newly launched platform enables the receipt and documentation of citizen complaints, helping to pinpoint pollution sources and violations. It connects monitoring activities with response agencies and legal procedures to facilitate swift action and implementation of necessary measures for reported cases.
Faihan reiterated the Parliament’s support for environmental protection initiatives, stressing that citizen involvement in monitoring efforts is essential for building a comprehensive database on pollution and enhancing institutional capacity to devise effective solutions.