Prime Minister Masrour Barzani Delivers Speech at Erbil Green Belt Phase Two Launch
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani delivers a speech at the launch of Erbil Green Belt's second phase, which aims to plant 1.8 million trees across 11,000 dunams.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani delivered a speech on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, during a ceremony formally launching the second phase of Erbil's Green Belt project, a major environmental initiative intended to expand green coverage around the Kurdistan Region's capital.
The latest phase covers 11,000 dunams around Gazna village on the Erbil-Duhok road and Sibiran along the Erbil-Khabat road. Plans call for approximately 1.8 million trees, including olive and pistachio varieties, supported by three irrigation ponds.
The Greek consul attended the event, and project officials say the saplings will be imported from Greece. Local company Doski Holding is implementing the project.
According to the Erbil General Directorate of Agriculture, affected farmers and landowners will have their rights protected and receive compensation.
Nearly 700,000 trees were planted during the first phase, which began on Oct. 30, 2025. Preparatory work for the second phase had been reported earlier this year, ahead of Sunday's ceremony.
The broader Green Belt is planned as a two-kilometer-wide corridor beyond Erbil's 150-Meter Ring Road, ultimately containing around seven million trees.
The project is intended to expand green space, protect the environment and help mitigate the effects of climate change.
This is a breaking news report and will be updated as more information becomes available.