KRG committed to environmental protection, combating climate change: PM Masrour Barzani

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - On Monday June 3, the Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani laid the foundation stone of two parks in Duhok, announcing that the government is committed to "beautifying and making our cities healthier.”

In a significant step towards enhancing the urban landscape and environmental health of the Kurdistan Region, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region has laid the foundation stone for several new projects, including the establishment of two expansive parks, "Aloka" and "Serhildan" in Baroshke neighborhood in Duhok city.

The sum of the cost for the two parks in Duhok city is close to 132 billion dinars.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at returning to Duhok for this important occasion. He highlighted the region's ongoing commitment to urban development, having recently inaugurated similar projects in the Soran region.

"This indicates our dedication to making our cities more beautiful and healthier," he stated.

The new parks in Duhok are set to offer extensive services and recreational spaces for the city's residents. The Prime Minister expressed hope that these green areas would become popular spots for leisure and enjoyment.

He also noted the environmental benefits, stating, "The completion of these two parks will give a beautiful view of Duhok and positively affect the climate in the city."

Despite these advancements, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the Kurdistan Region still falls short of international standards in terms of greenery. While Duhok province fares better than other regions, there remains a need for increased focus on expanding green spaces across the Kurdistan Region.

In line with this goal, the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has issued directives to boost greenery and tree planting in residential projects. The Prime Minister took the upcoming World Environment Day as an opportunity to reaffirm the government's commitment to environmental protection, emphasizing that this responsibility extends to all citizens.

"God has given us a beautiful nature and environment; we must protect it and keep it clean for the benefit of future generations," he urged.

He also outlined several measures taken by the KRG to combat global warming and climate change, including controlling emissions from oil fields, constructing ponds and dams, and reviving forests.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of fostering a culture of environmental protection, highlighting the crucial roles of the media, education, civil society organizations, and families.

Reflecting on recent political engagements, the Prime Minister mentioned his visit to Baghdad, where he met with the Prime Minister of the Federal Government and other officials to discuss resolving ongoing issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government.

He expressed regret that negotiations still revolve around fundamental rights such as salaries, urging a collective effort to develop Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to compete on the global stage.

"Our country is rich with abundant natural and material resources. We only need better governance to reach the level of the developed countries of the world," he asserted, calling for unity and a focus on serving citizens and fostering national prosperity.

The Prime Minister concluded with a hopeful note for the new parks, wishing for their success and urging citizens to cherish these new green spaces. "May you be successful and Kurdistan be prosperous. I hope these parks are sacred to all of you and serve all citizens. Thank you very much for attending."

Speech of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region in full:

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Dear audience, I am very pleased to be in Duhok once again to lay the foundation stone of several projects, including the two parks "Aloka and Baroshke." A few days ago, we were in the Soran region to lay the foundation stone of two important parks. This indicates our commitment to making our cities more beautiful and healthier.

These two parks in Duhok city contain many important services and provide good amenities to the residents because the area of both parks is very large. I hope these parks will become a good place for the citizens to spend their leisure times there. The completion of these two parks will also give a beautiful view of Duhok and positively affect the climate in Duhok.

Unfortunately, in terms of greenery, the Kurdistan Region is still not at the required level and international standards. Although Duhok province is better than other regions in this regard, we need to pay more attention to increasing the green area in the Kurdistan Region.

The ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has issued necessary instructions to increase the area of greenery and plant trees during the implementation of projects, especially in residential areas. In two days, it will be World Environment Day. I see this occasion as an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Kurdistan Regional Government to environmental protection, which should not only be the duty of the government but the duty of all of us and citizens.

God has given us a beautiful nature and environment; we must protect it and keep it clean for the benefit of future generations. We in the Kurdistan Regional Government have taken several steps to combat global warming and climate change.

According to the analysis of scientists in this field, our region will be one of the areas hardest hit by climate change. Therefore, we have implemented several necessary steps and measures to combat global warming and climate change. For example, we are trying to control and use the gases emitted from our oil fields, building several ponds and dams, and working to revive the forests of the Kurdistan Region. However, we need to take more steps and, most importantly, strengthen the culture of environmental protection among our people. The role of the media, education, civil society organizations, and especially the role of the family is important.

As you know, we visited Baghdad last week and met with the Prime Minister of the Federal Government and other government officials, as well as the heads and officials of other Iraqi political forces and parties. We negotiated very clearly on a radical solution to the outstanding issues between the two governments of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

In Baghdad, I told most political parties and Iraqi government officials that it was regrettable that we were still negotiating on the issue of salaries and the outstanding crisis between the two governments. These rights must be natural and not media news; instead, we should work together to develop Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in a better way to compete with the Gulf countries and other countries in the world. We should also focus on how we can improve our country in every way.

Our country is rich with abundant natural and material resources. We only need better governance to reach the level of the developed countries of the world. I hope that we will no longer waste our time creating problems and conflicts, and that we will all compete to serve our citizens and promote the prosperity of our country.

May you be successful and Kurdistan be prosperous. I hope these parks are sacred to all of you and serve all citizens. Thank you very much for attending. Thank you.