Chwas Sabir: Population growth intensifies environmental problems in Iraq

Rapid population growth in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, is exacerbating environmental problems, Chwas Sabir, Director General of the General Directorate of Urban Planning under the Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism of Iraqi Kurdistan, said at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

According to him, the authorities of the region pay special attention to developing cities and towns through effective spatial planning and creating a comfortable urban environment for residents.

"One of the areas of work is the expansion of urban green zones and green networks based on updated criteria," Sabir noted.

He also spoke about cooperation between Iraqi Kurdistan and international organizations, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and UN-Habitat.

"One of our priorities is coordination with international organizations, such as the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, with which we have already implemented several projects. We are also considering expanding cooperation with JICA and UN-Habitat," the official added.