High-Level Government Partners, European Union and FAO Inaugurate First Gene/Seed Bank in Sulaymaniyah

Under the patronage of H.E. Mr Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government,), the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Iraqi federal and regional authorities today inaugurated the first Gene/Seed Bank in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, located in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. The event marks the completion of a landmark national effort to conserve Iraq's plant genetic resources and establishes a modern institution dedicated to safeguarding the country's rich agricultural biodiversity.

This achievement represents a major milestone in the context of government efforts to protect one of the world’s richest centres of crop diversity and strengthen Iraq’s commitment to preserving its agricultural heritage. The event brought together H.E. Mr. Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government; H.E. Ms. Begard Talabani, Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government; Dr Mithaq Al-Khafaji, Technical Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Federal Government of Iraq; Dr Haval Abubakir, Governor of Sulaymaniyah; Ms. Leyla Omar Ali, Mayor of Sulaymaniyah; Mr. Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Iraq; and Dr Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, alongside senior representatives from Iraq's federal and regional authorities, the Sulaymaniyah and other Directorates of Agriculture, academic and agricultural institutions, and other partners. 

This facility was delivered under the EU funded project “Restoration and Strengthening the Resilience of Agri-food Systems in Southern Iraq” and implemented by FAO. The project strengthened the resilience of smallholder farmers in the southern governorates of Basra, Missan and Thi-Qar, but also made a strategic investment in Iraq’s long-term capacity to conserve and sustainably manage its agricultural biodiversity through this complementary facility.

“The opening of the Sulaymaniyah Gene/ Seed Bank is an investment in the future and a legacy for generations to come. It reflects our responsibility to protect the resources of our land today so they can continue to serve our people and future generations.” H.E. Mr. Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government

“This Gene/Seed Bank is a strategic milestone for our agricultural sector and an important step in preserving Iraq's unique plant genetic resources. It will strengthen food security, support scientific research and contribute to the development of climate-resilient crop varieties for the benefit of Iraq and beyond.”H.E. Ms. Begard Talabani, Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Kurdistan Regional Government

“This achievement, together with the rehabilitation of the National Gene Bank in Baghdad, represents an important investment in the future of Iraq’s agriculture, ensuring that our valuable plant heritage is preserved for generations to come. We highly value the efforts of the European Union and FAO in making this initiative a reality.” Dr Mithaq Al-Khafaji, Technical Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Federal Government of Iraq

Until now, Iraq's only conservation facility was the National Gene/Seed Bank in Abu Ghraib, established in 1977, which required rehabilitation to meet modern conservation standards for its collection of around 3,500 accessions. No comparable facility existed in the Kurdistan Region, despite being home to more than 70 percent of Iraq's plant genetic resources.

The project therefore combined the rehabilitation of the National Seed bank in Baghdad with the construction of a new Gene/ Seed Bank in Sulaymaniyah, creating complementary facilities that together strengthen Iraq's national capacity to conserve and sustainably use its invaluable plant genetic resources.

“The European Union is proud to have funded this investment, and we would like to thank all partners with this achievement. Protecting Iraq's plant genetic resources is protecting a shared global heritage, and an investment in the resilience of Iraq's food systems for decades to come.” Mr. Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Iraq

In Sulaymaniyah, the project constructed a purpose-built Gene/ Seed Bank on a 25-hectare site at Hawari Shar Park, generously provided by the Sulaymaniyah Municipality. Designed to international standards, the facility includes seed storage vaults, laboratories and research and training spaces, with provisions for renewable energy. Alongside the construction of both Seed banks, FAO strengthened Iraq's national capacity to conserve and sustainably use plant genetic resources through specialized technical trainings.

The project also supported the development of a national strategy for the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, providing a roadmap for future action and strengthening Iraq's integration into international scientific networks.

“Today’s inauguration marks an important milestone in Iraq’s efforts to conserve its rich plant genetic resources and agricultural biodiversity. It reflects the strong partnership between the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, the European Union and FAO in building sustainable national capacities. FAO remains fully committed to supporting Iraq in safeguarding its agricultural heritage, strengthening resilient agrifood systems and advancing sustainable development for present and future generations. We extend our sincere appreciation to our governmental partners for their continued collaboration and to the European Union for its generous support and longstanding partnership.” Dr Salah El Hajj Hasan FAO Representative in Iraq

The initiative contributes directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). It also supports the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Iraq and FAO's Country Programming Framework (CPF) by strengthening sustainable agrifood systems, conserving plant genetic resources, protecting agricultural biodiversity and enhancing resilience to climate change.

For more information please contact: 

Khawla Ben Aicha, International Communications Expert, FAO Iraq — khawla.benaicha@fao.org
Dr Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq — salah.elhajjhassan@fao.org

Sadiq Al-Adilee, Political, Press and Information Officer, Delegation of the European Union to Iraq- Alsadiq.AL-ADILEE@eeas.europa.eu