Majid Shangali: Iraq Calls for International Support in Addressing Climate Change

"Iraq is keen to learn from the experiences of other countries, both in terms of legislative measures and the practical steps needed to counter the impacts of climate change across various sectors."

In an exclusive interview with The Caspian Post during COP29 in Azerbaijan, Majid Shangali, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Health and Environment Committee of Iraq, highlighted the country's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by climate change. He emphasized Iraq’s focus on knowledge exchange with other nations, particularly in legislative frameworks and practical implementation of climate policies.

"Iraq is keen to learn from the experiences of other countries, both in terms of legislative measures and the practical steps needed to counter the impacts of climate change across various sectors," Shangali stated.

As a major oil-producing nation, Iraq has long relied on oil as the backbone of its economy. Shangali underscored that a complete and immediate transition to renewable energy is unrealistic for Iraq. "We support a gradual transition to renewable energy, as this is the only feasible approach for countries like ours," he explained.

Shangali also called on the international community and industrialized nations to extend their support. "We need substantial financial and technical assistance to address the implications of climate change effectively and to implement our adaptation and mitigation plans," he said.

Iraq’s participation in COP29 reflects its commitment to finding balanced solutions that align global climate goals with the country’s economic realities.