Iraq’s Environment Minister Highlights Need for Stronger International Partnerships to Protect Endangered Species

Iraqi Environment Ministry's Media Office

Halo al-Askari's, Iraq’s Minister of Environment, meeting with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Dr. Halo al-Askari, Iraq’s Minister of Environment, underscored the vital importance of enhancing international cooperation with leading global organisations, including the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). He affirmed that such partnerships are essential to protecting endangered species, combating illegal wildlife trade, and advancing Iraq’s commitments under the CITES Convention.

The Minister’s remarks came during his meeting with the IFAW delegation, led by Dr. Bell Jason, the organisation’s Executive Vice President of Strategy, Programmes & Field Operations, held on the sidelines of the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Discussions centred on introductory exchanges and exploring potential frameworks for cooperation between Iraq’s Ministry of Environment and IFAW to support wildlife protection efforts and strengthen implementation of CITES provisions.

Both sides reviewed prospective avenues of collaboration, including improved monitoring of endangered species, the development of community awareness programmes, and the implementation of joint environmental initiatives aimed at safeguarding Iraq’s natural habitats and biodiversity.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Jaber Al-Tamimi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Iraqi Embassy in Kazakhstan, reflecting ongoing diplomatic coordination in support of Iraq’s participation in the international conference.



PUKMEDIA