Iraq needs to diversify economy to tackle climate change: COP27 Regional Ambassador

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Janet Rogan, Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and Africa to the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) spoke of the need for diversifying the economy in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in order to tackle climate change. 

Rogan spoke to Rudaw's Bestoon Othman in Erbil last week, coinciding with ongoing dust storms across the country, occurring at an unprecedented frequency. Given that the COP27 conference in November this year is to be held in Egypt, and next year’s in the United Arab Emirates, Rogan stated this is a “fantastic opportunity for the Middle East to come together for issues common across the boundaries.” 

Rogan emphasized the need for the diversification of the economy in Iraq and the Region in order to combat the water shortages and dust storm issues it is confronting. She added the diversifying comes with the need to modernize the agriculture, and address water and power issues in the country. Rogan also spoke of the need for new and green projects to be implemented.