Kurdistan’s Environmental Protection Agency Calls for Greater Action on World Environment Day
In response, the KRG has positioned environmental sustainability as a cross-sectoral priority, seeking international support and encouraging community engagement in conservation efforts.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — On the occasion of World Environment Day, Kurdistan Region’s Environmental Protection Agency has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable practices, highlighting the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution and address wider environmental challenges.
Observed annually on June 5, World Environment Day is marked globally under a theme designated by the United Nations. This year’s theme — “Beat Plastic Pollution” — urges countries around the world to confront the growing risks posed by plastic waste. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) joins this global initiative with renewed focus on local challenges and strategic environmental planning.
While acknowledging the dangers of plastic waste, the agency emphasized that environmental threats in the Kurdistan Region extend beyond plastics. In a statement, the agency noted that climate change is increasingly impacting many areas across the region, calling for serious and practical measures to confront a range of ecological crises.
“We view this occasion as an opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to protecting and improving the environment of the Kurdistan Region,” the agency said. It referenced the ninth cabinet’s official slogan — “Kurdistan’s environment is our greatest shared asset” — which reflects the government's approach to addressing environmental issues through scientific, modern, and actionable strategies.
The agency highlighted a series of initiatives the KRG has undertaken, including:
1: Promoting renewable energy projects
2: Expanding green spaces
3: Constructing dams and water reservoirs
4: Developing regulatory frameworks and environmental guidelines for construction and industrial projects
5: Enhancing monitoring of pollution sources
According to the statement, these projects aim not only to safeguard the environment but also to create long-term positive impacts on the ecological landscape of the region.
A central pillar of the government’s current environmental strategy is the expansion of recycling infrastructure. The agency emphasized the importance of launching recycling facilities to manage waste more effectively and reduce plastic consumption in particular.
Citing alarming global statistics, the agency warned that over 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced each year worldwide, with less than 10 million tons undergoing proper recycling. This growing disparity, it noted, underscores the importance of local action in combating a global crisis.
As the Kurdistan Region continues to modernize and grow, the Environmental Protection Agency stressed that environmental sustainability must remain a top priority in government planning and public policy. It pledged continued efforts to promote awareness, implement impactful projects, and support international environmental campaigns such as World Environment Day.
World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and is celebrated annually on June 5. It serves as the UN’s principal vehicle for encouraging global awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
This year’s theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” is a call to action aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastics, improving waste management, and encouraging recycling practices around the world. The environmental toll of plastic has become a defining global issue, with microplastics now found in oceans, air, and even human bodies.
For the Kurdistan Region, environmental degradation has been a growing concern in recent years, driven by climate change, population growth, urbanization, and industrial expansion. Droughts, rising temperatures, and water scarcity have placed added pressure on both natural ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
In response, the KRG has positioned environmental sustainability as a cross-sectoral priority, seeking international support and encouraging community engagement in conservation efforts.
As global leaders, institutions, and citizens commemorate World Environment Day, Kurdistan’s renewed call for action signals a regional determination to be part of the global solution.
