In the framework of the “Investment Promotion for Iraq - Phase II” (IPI) project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by UNIDO, on July 31, 2024, UNIDO ITPO Italy successfully hosted a webinar titled "The Green Transition in Iraq: An Overview of the Main Environmental Issues and Needs in the Regions of Baghdad and Basra."

The event gathered around one hundred attendees online to discuss pressing environmental issues in Iraq, particularly those related to the oil industry and potential developments in environmental conservation. The webinar commenced with a discussion on international cooperation for environmental and economic development in Iraq, highlighting opportunities in the environmental mitigation sector. Experts provided an overview of the significant environmental issues facing Iraq, such as emissions from the oil and extractive industry, water contamination, and the environmental impact of brick production.

The session also addressed Iraq's path towards renewable energy, with insights from Kareem A. Alwan, PhD – Chairperson of the SPE Central Iraq Section, and Baraa Zubaidi, MSc, EMBA – Deputy Chairperson of the SPE Central Iraq Section. Following this, Dr. Watheq J. Al-Mudhafar, Senior Chief Petroleum Engineer at Basra Oil Company and Chairperson of the SPE Basra Section, spoke on the implications of gas flaring activities on environmental protection and climate change, emphasizing the need for effective mitigation strategies. Lastly, Andrea Luigi Lamberti, Director of SPE Italy, Faculties & Student Chapters, shared his insights into the activities and contributions of the Society of Petroleum Engineers in Italy.

The event concluded with a Q&A session, moderated by Enrico Siepi, Investment Promotion Expert at UNIDO ITPO Italy, and Abdulhadi Al-Hatem, PhD, UNIDO National Technical Coordinator. The active participation and productive discussions underscored the growing interest of the international community in addressing environmental sustainability in Iraq while exploring new partnerships between Iraqi and Italian businesses.