<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">The third joint scientific symposium between Iran and Iraq focusing on environmental concerns was inaugurated in Baghdad, featuring a keynote address by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">This symposium, a collaborative effort between the Center for Political and International Studies (CPIS), the Bahr Al-Ulum Foundation, and the Al-Alameen Institute, will primarily address the co-management of the Hour Al-Azim wetland, strategies for combating dust storms, and issues related to food security.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">Over the course of two days, Iranian experts, led by Dr. Sheikh Al-Islami, Deputy Foreign Minister and head of CPIS, will participate in eight sessions to thoroughly examine these critical environmental challenges and formulate recommendations.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">In his opening address, Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized that Iraq is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. He pointed out that the destructive wars of the previous regime had devastated the country's natural resources, leading to severe environmental problems.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">The Prime Minister also highlighted the Iraqi government's commitment to environmental cooperation, noting the numerous memoranda of understanding and agreements signed with various countries on environmental and water-related issues. He affirmed the government's dedication to establishing a framework for the joint management of the Tigris and Euphrates river basins, in accordance with international regulations and legal frameworks governing shared river management.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"> </p>