Prime Minister Barzani Delivers 33 Key Messages at Erbil Green Belt Launch

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani delivered 33 key messages during the inauguration of the second phase of Erbil's Green Belt project on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, addressing environmental protection, economic development, national unity and the recent attack on the Khor Mor gas field.

The speech outlined plans to plant 1.8 million trees while reaffirming the government's commitment to protecting the Kurdistan Region, expanding public services, encouraging investment and holding those responsible for attacks on energy infrastructure accountable.

1- Planting 1.8 million trees: The second phase of Erbil's Green Belt will introduce approximately 1.8 million saplings.
2- Greening Erbil: The government will continue expanding vegetation around Erbil and its surroundings to improve environmental and climatic conditions.
3- Public benefits: Prime Minister Masrour Barzani described the Green Belt as a valuable initiative offering environmental, social and economic benefits.
4- Cleaner air: Trees and forests can improve air quality and provide residents with suitable places for recreation.
5- Employment opportunities: The project is expected to generate jobs through planting, maintenance, agriculture and related activities.
6- Agricultural production: Many planted trees will produce crops, providing economic returns alongside their environmental benefits.
7- Olive oil industry: The plantations could support the establishment of facilities producing olive oil from locally grown trees.
8- Project expansion: The latest phase covers approximately 10,000 dunams and includes three irrigation ponds.
9- 0Peshmerga participation: Prime Minister Masrour Barzani welcomed Peshmerga personnel working alongside volunteers to plant trees.
10- Patriotism and service: He described their participation as an expression of devotion to Kurdistan and its people.
11- Environmental protection: The government will continue its afforestation initiatives and efforts to prevent environmental degradation.
12- Generator pollution: Prime Minister Masrour Barzani recalled Erbil's previous air pollution caused by widespread reliance on private generators.
13- Runaki's environmental impact: He credited the Runaki electricity project with helping improve air quality across Kurdistan's cities.
14- Public health: Expanding urban green spaces is essential to creating healthier environments for residents.
15- Historical deforestation: He recalled earlier efforts to destroy forests and make life more difficult for Kurdistan's population.
16- Infrastructure threats: Prime Minister Masrour Barzani warned against renewed attempts to intimidate Kurdistan by targeting essential infrastructure.
17- Khor Mor attack: He described attacks on gas and electricity infrastructure as crimes against the people of Kurdistan and Iraq.
18- Swift investigation: He urged the committee investigating the Khor Mor attack to complete its work without unnecessary delays.
19- Accountability: Those responsible for carrying out and directing the attack must be identified, prosecuted and punished according to law.
20- Protection of civilians: Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stressed that attacks harming innocent people are unacceptable.
21- Federal cooperation: The Kurdistan Regional Government remains in contact with Baghdad and stands ready to assist investigators.
22- National responsibility: Protecting and developing the Kurdistan Region is a shared duty for its institutions and citizens.
23- Improving livelihoods: The government will continue implementing projects intended to improve people's lives.
24- Defending unity: "We will stop at nothing to protect the entity of the Kurdistan Region and prevent it from being divided," he declared.
25- Resisting division: Prime Minister Masrour Barzani pledged to confront campaigns aimed at weakening or dividing the Kurdistan Region.
26- Demographic change: He recalled previous regimes' policies of reducing Kurdistan's territory and altering its demographic composition.
27- Public solidarity: He expressed confidence that patriotic Kurds and Kurdistanis would reject efforts to divide the Region.
28- Continued development: The government will maintain its commitment to better services, environmental protection and greener cities.
29- Greek saplings: Trees designated for the new Green Belt phase were imported from Greece.
30- International and local partners: Prime Minister Masrour Barzani thanked the Greek government and Doski Holding for their contributions.
31- Private investment: He encouraged investors and businesspeople to finance similar projects benefiting the public.
32- Government support: The Kurdistan Regional Government will facilitate investments that contribute to public welfare and development.
33- Kurdistan's future: Prime Minister Masrour Barzani expressed hope for a greener, healthier and more prosperous Kurdistan.

The second phase was formally launched on Nov. 15, 2026, with implementation focused on Gazna village along the Erbil-Duhok road and Sibiran along the Erbil-Khabat road.

The phase covers approximately 10,000 dunams divided into four sections. The first section will contain 500,000 olive trees, while the overall phase targets approximately 1.8 million trees.

Plans also include three irrigation ponds and an olive oil production facility.

Preparatory work began on July 11, involving land clearance, fencing and irrigation infrastructure. The Erbil General Directorate of Agriculture has pledged to protect farmers' and landowners' rights and provide compensation where applicable.

First Phase: More Than 700,000 Trees

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani launched the first phase on Oct. 30, 2025.

The initial phase covered approximately 15,200 dunams, with around 700,000 olive trees and 7,000 orange trees planted.

Overall Plan: A Green Corridor Around Erbil

The Erbil Green Belt is designed to extend approximately 83 kilometers around the capital, with a width of two kilometers across eight zones.

The long-term project targets approximately seven million trees, with the objectives of expanding green spaces, reducing dust storms, protecting the environment and strengthening Erbil's response to climate change.