The BEIT project demonstrates the criticality of environmental protection in addressing Iraq’s housing and employment challenges [EN/AR] – Iraq

As Iraq moves forward in meeting the challenges posed by climate change, the EU-funded Building Equity and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT) Project, implemented by three UN partner agencies, aims to create a tangible model that how future sustainable development best practices can strengthen housing. , employment and private sector development.

A meeting for the presentation of the project at the Ministry of Environment was held on June 5, 2024. The meeting was attended by EU representatives, project partners and officials from the Ministry of Environment.

The BEIT project is implemented by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Trade Center (ITC) in partnership with the Government of Iraq. It aims to stimulate decent work opportunities for youth and young adults by addressing the urgent need for affordable housing. BEIT is one of the main projects in the EU’s cooperation with Iraq for the stabilization of the country with the ultimate benefit for Iraqi citizens. The EU is happy to share its experience and knowledge in this sector.

In his introductory speech, Mr. Tsvetomir Tsekov, Program Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to Iraq, underlined the need for innovative and green solutions to address the growing environmental challenges posed by urbanization and the impacts of climate change. It was highlighted that the BEIT initiative uses a comprehensive approach to address huge housing needs, rapid urbanization and climate change mitigation through the simultaneous creation of affordable green housing, while creating jobs and empowering SMEs.

The Ministry of Environment, represented by Mr. Muthanna Hassan Saloumi, Director of the Urban Environment Directorate, highlighted the efforts undertaken by the Government of Iraq to try to address the challenges posed by climate change through a strategic approach. This approach takes into account Iraq’s fragile nature, its need to diversify away from oil dependence, national priorities, and provides policy, regulatory and capacity-building interventions to facilitate sustainable development.

The BEIT program presents concrete strategies aimed at addressing climate change, including sustainable building practices, green energy efficient homes, compact land use developments, climate sensitive designs, green technology hubs, growth programs of climate awareness, climate smart building techniques from private sector MSMEs and support for green trade and investment policies.

After the presentations, there were reflections by officials of the Ministry of Environment, in which they emphasized the need to respect the environmental regulatory framework, the development of green spaces, the adoption of good green practices, as well as the advantages of integrating traditional materials and concepts that have worked well. in the Iraqi context. The meeting called for the homes to be built to be affordable, located within vulnerable populations and integrate innovation, green jobs and promote private sector development.