Middle East Green Initiative and Iraq Discuss Land Degradation and Sandstorms

H.E. Eng. Ibrahim Alturki, Secretary General of the Middle East Green Initiative, discussed with H.E. Ms. Srwa Abdulwahid Qadir, Minister of Environment of Iraq, environmental challenges related to land degradation, sandstorms, and sand encroachment, alongside preparations for the upcoming Ministerial Council meeting.

H.E. Eng. Ibrahim Alturki, Secretary General of the Middle East Green Initiative, met with H.E. Ms. Sarwa Abdulwahid Qadir, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Iraq, on Thursday, 1 October 2026, on the sidelines of the meeting of Arab ministers responsible for environmental affairs in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Secretary General presented the Minister with a summary of the Middle East Green Initiative’s key achievements and progress, as well as preparations for the third meeting of the Initiative’s Ministerial Council. Discussions also addressed land degradation, the impacts of dust storms, and sand encroachment in the region, as well as the need to focus on this environmental challenge, which affects health and quality of life.