Iraq Advances in Developing Transparency Frameworks in Climate Action
Baghdad / Beirut, 28 May 2025 – Iraq took a significant step forward in its climate action today with the official launch of key climate reports during a high-level ceremony in Baghdad. The event was held under the patronage and in the presence of Dr. Hallo Mustafa Al Askari, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Iraq, and Mr. Sami Dimassi, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Representative and Regional Director for West Asia, and was attended by representatives from key ministries, government institutions, United Nations agencies, and international partners.
The reports—the Second National Communication (SNC), First Biennial Update Report (BUR), and Biennial Transparency Report (BTR)—are essential tools in enhancing Iraq’s transparency in climate action and reaffirm its commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.
These reports are cornerstones of global climate reporting frameworks, offering accurate, transparent, comparable, and comprehensive data. They allow for effective tracking and assessment of climate progress and help align national efforts with international climate goals.
The reports were developed through strong collaboration between the UNEP Regional Office for West Asia and the Government of Iraq, with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). A national team comprising experts from various ministries, as well as contributions from national and international research institutions, played a key role in their preparation.
In his remarks, Mr. Dimassi emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating:
"Iraq today has a real opportunity to reshape its environmental future. Despite serious challenges ranging from water scarcity, land degradation, and rising temperatures to urban pollution and pressure on natural resources, we are confident in Iraq’s ability to become a success story in environmental transformation in our region, thanks to its human potential and strategic regional position.”
Dr. al-Askari, reiterated that "this step constitutes a strategic move toward reducing carbon emissions, building a sustainable green economy, and increasing the resilience of communities affected by climate change." He emphasized that the Second National Communication report and the First Biennial Update Report represent one of Iraq's most important climate commitments, and reflect the government's approach toward adopting comprehensive and proactive climate policies.
The SNC and BUR provide a detailed analysis of Iraq’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and outline efforts for their reduction. They also assess the impacts of climate change across critical sectors such as water, agriculture, and biodiversity, and set out national priorities and mechanisms for adaptation.
The BTR presents a comprehensive and transparent overview of Iraq’s GHG emissions, progress towards achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the climate support requested and received in the form of technology transfer, capacity-building, and climate finance. As a key reporting tool under the Paris Agreement, the BTR contributes to the Global Stocktake, builds trust among Parties, and strengthens global accountability. UNEP’s Regional Office for West Asia supported the development process by organizing three capacity-building workshops for government officials and a national workshop to review and validate the findings.
During the event, a third project that aims to accelerate the implementation of Iraq’s NDCs by building institutional and technical capacity at the governorate level was also launched. Funded by the NDC Partnership Action Fund, the planned activities include targeted training sessions for key stakeholders such as decision-makers, governors, local councils, and climate change departments.
In accordance with the requirements of climate agreements, Parties are requested to submit a National Communication every four years and a Biennial Update Report (BUR) periodically. The Paris Agreement also established the Enhanced Transparency Framework for Action and Support, which requires the submission of a Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) every two years, replacing the BUR.
