Iraq advances coordinated action to tackle Tangaro River pollution through joint Government and UN engagement

Under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Hallo Al-Askari, Minister of Environment, the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), convened a high-level joint public–private workshop on Tangaro River pollution in Sulaymaniyah. The event, held as part of ongoing efforts led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Iraq, Mr. Ghulam M. Isaczai, brought together senior representatives from the Kurdistan Regional Government, UN agencies - including IOM, UNICEF, WFP and WHO -as well as development partners and private sector actors to advance coordinated solutions to Iraq’s environmental and water challenges.

Building on ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and UN partners, recent efforts have strengthened understanding of pollution in the Tangaro River and identified priority interventions. A proposed master plan has been developed and shared with stakeholders, with the workshop marking a key step towards operationalizing coordinated action. 

Opening the workshop, H.E. Minister of Environment Dr. Hallo Al-Askari underscored the urgency of addressing pollution in the Tangaro River and called for strengthened coordination across stakeholders. He emphasized: “Addressing pollution in the Tangaro River, which is one of the main sources of water pollution in the region, is a national priority. We are working to strengthen coordination between government institutions, international partners and the private sector to protect our water resources and deliver sustainable solutions that safeguard both the environment and the well-being of our communities.”

UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Ghulam M. Isaczai highlighted the importance of national leadership and partnerships: “The United Nations is committed to supporting Iraq in addressing complex environmental challenges through coordinated and integrated approaches. By bringing together international expertise and partnerships, we can support sustainable solutions that respond to Iraq’s development priorities.”

Participants reviewed key findings on pollution levels and discussed practical, phased interventions to enable immediate action while advancing longer-term solutions. Discussions highlighted the need to strengthen pollution control and enforcement, improve waste management practices, and enhance institutional coordination, alongside mobilizing financing through international support and public–private partnerships.

FAO Representative in Iraq, Dr. Salah El Hajj Hassan emphasized the importance of partnership and evidence-based planning, noting:

“FAO is working with the Government of Iraq and partners to advance science-based solutions to environmental challenges. Addressing Tangaro River pollution is critical to protect ecosystems, livelihoods, and food security .”

The outcomes of the workshop will inform the development of a coordinated  roadmap for action, including priority interventions, clear roles and responsibilities, and resource mobilization pathways. The initiative contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029 for Iraq, and advances progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).