FAO Representative in Iraq and Ambassador Safia Al-Suhail discussed ways to enhance and strengthen cooperation and coordination with Baghdad Governorate

Baghdad: Dr. Salah El Hajj Hassan, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)Representative in Iraq, accompanied by H.E Ambassador Safia Al-Suhail, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to FAO, met with the Governor of Baghdad, Mr. Mohammed Jaber al-Atta. The discussion focused on FAO's intervention and programs in Iraq and the agriculture sector's challenges in Iraq.

Mr. Al-Atta discussed ways to enhance and strengthen cooperation and coordination with FAO in Iraq. He expressed hope that, through increased collaboration, the organization would rehabilitate the agricultural sector in Baghdad's rural areas to achieve food security and sustainable agriculture and rural development. Noting that these rural areas around Baghdad city have suffered from crises and climate changes. 

Ambassador Al-Suhail praised the important role played by FAO in supporting the agricultural sector, achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development, and stressed the need to support the agricultural sector in rural areas of the Baghdad Governorate.

Dr. Elhajj Hassan presented FAO's projects to the Governor in Iraq that support agricultural livelihoods' by revitalizing food production, value chains, and income generation and aim to secure water systems by rehabilitating the irrigation in Iraq. Dr. El Hajj Hassan thanked the Governor for his willingness to support the agriculture sector in Baghdad's rural areas. Elhajj Hassan also stated, "Through FAO projects, FAO will provide the necessary support to improve the agriculture sector that will positively impact all of Iraq and to achieve rural and pre-urban development

At the end of the meeting, the Governor thanked the FAO delegation. He also praised FAO's efforts in Iraq to revitalize the agriculture sector and reduce poverty through its support to food production development and sustainability. He expressed his office’s readiness to fully cooperate in developing the agricultural sector in Baghdad's governorate. Dr. El Hajj Hassan assured that FAO will be providing the necessary support to the farmers in Baghdad’s rural areas.