AGP Executive Report

Air Pollution Alert: Aynda warns Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are facing worsening air quality and public health risks, pointing to unregulated refineries, vehicle emissions, private generators, waste dumping and burning, industrial pollution, and loss of forests and green spaces. Anti-Corruption Push: Iraq’s Integrity Commission says it has received over 26,000 corruption reports, with recovered funds/assets passing 1.359 trillion dinars, as the government activates whistleblower rewards and protection rules. Local Environment & Jobs: Iraq’s Ministry of Planning and the UN plan a workshop on building inclusive, risk-informed small and medium-sized enterprises to support sustainable recovery and local resilience. Water & Nature: Iraq’s Nineveh is boosting Tigris fish stocks with 400,000 carp, aiming to strengthen local biodiversity and fisheries. KRI Investment: The Kurdistan Region won recognition at the UAE investment congress for attracting foreign direct investment, with judges citing job creation, innovation, and alignment with sustainable development goals.

Air Quality Alarm: Aynda warns that worsening air pollution in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region is driven by unregulated refineries, vehicle emissions, private generators, waste dumping and burning, industrial pollution, and loss of forests/green spaces—urging stronger oversight, cleaner energy, better monitoring, and emissions controls. Regional Water Security: Kuwait’s KISR, with the IAEA, is pushing a groundwater protection project using nuclear techniques to map vulnerability and set protection zones amid climate change and pollution, with Iraq among participating countries. Oil & Climate Pressure: Iraq is drafting a four-year plan to nearly double crude capacity to about 10 mbpd by 2030, while the Hormuz disruption backdrop keeps energy risks high. Local Nature & Food: Nineveh boosts Tigris fish stocks with 400,000 carp, aiming to strengthen local aquatic biodiversity and livelihoods. Governance & Environment: Iraq’s electricity sector faces deepening corruption concerns as parliament moves to tighten contract oversight—an issue that can directly affect power reliability and pollution from backup generation.

Southern Lebanon Flashpoint: Israel says it took operational control of Ali al-Taher ridge, a key height near Nabatieh, intensifying pressure on a fragile ceasefire as Hezbollah’s position remains unverified. Iraq Banking Stability: Analyst Manar Al-Obaidi says Iraq’s banking sector isn’t collapsing, but is being restructured after the Central Bank put Al-Taif Islamic Bank under conservatorship for compliance failures. Groundwater Protection: KISR and the IAEA launched a regional push to map groundwater vulnerability using nuclear techniques amid climate and pollution risks, with Iraq among participating countries. Oil & Energy Pressure: Iraq is drafting a plan to nearly double crude capacity toward 10 mbpd by 2030, while OPEC+ keeps October output steady as Hormuz disruptions cloud supply. Gas Flaring Cuts: Iraq’s Oil Ministry is rolling out four projects to recover associated gas and stop flaring by 2029, targeting 1.4 billion cubic feet capacity. Tigris Fish Restocking: Nineveh released 400,000 carp fingerlings into the Tigris to boost fish stocks and support local livelihoods. Baghdad Green Taxi: Iraq’s “Green Taxi” electric taxi charging plan is taking shape in Baghdad to tackle the gasoline shortage and cut pollution, with environmental impact measurements planned after launch.

Groundwater & Water Security: Kuwait’s KISR and the IAEA launched a regional push to protect groundwater using nuclear techniques, aiming to map vulnerability and set protection zones amid climate and pollution pressures, with Iraq among participating countries. Shipping & Hormuz Risk: Iran’s security chief says a new “restricted zone” will be announced around the Strait of Hormuz, warning ships entering it could be added to sanctions lists—raising fresh concerns for regional waterway safety and environmental spill risk. Gas Flaring Cut: Iraq’s Oil Ministry is rolling out four projects to recover associated gas (1.4 billion cubic feet capacity) to stop flaring by end-2029, while also expanding gas development in Akkas and Mansouriya. Clean Transport in Baghdad: Iraq’s “Green Taxi” plan is taking shape as Baghdad prepares electric taxi charging facilities, developed with the Environment Ministry to cut pollution during a gasoline shortage. Aquatic Life Recovery: Nineveh released 400,000 common carp fingerlings into the Tigris to boost fish stocks, support livelihoods, and restore aquatic balance. Food Resilience: Iraq announced wheat and date self-sufficiency for 2026, citing new salinity-tolerant seed varieties and long-term subsidized irrigation support.

Aquatic Restoration in Nineveh: Nineveh’s Agriculture Directorate released 400,000 carp fingerlings into the Tigris to boost fish stocks, support fishing livelihoods, and help restore the river’s ecological balance. Clean Transport in Baghdad: Iraq’s “Green Taxi” plan is taking shape amid a gasoline shortage, with the Transport Ministry working with the Environment Ministry to build electric taxi charging facilities and later measure pollution cuts and other environmental effects. Food Security with a Climate Twist: Iraq announced wheat and date self-sufficiency for 2026, citing salinity- and stress-tolerant seed varieties and subsidized irrigation sprinklers to reduce reliance on imports. Wildlife Conservation: Two rehabilitated Eurasian griffon vultures were released from Saudi Arabia and have settled in Armenia and Iraq, with tracking showing they stayed close to their new home ranges. Policy Watch: Eco Iraq criticized a proposed borrowing law, warning it could harm non-oil revenues and open the door to corruption and unfair competition. Regional Energy Pressure: OPEC+ is expected to keep October oil policy steady as Strait of Hormuz disruptions continue to complicate oil flows.

Iraq’s Green Taxi: Baghdad is moving toward a “Green Taxi” plan to ease gasoline shortages by introducing electric taxis and charging infrastructure, with the Transport Ministry working alongside the Environment Ministry; officials say pollution-reduction measurements would start after launch, and a Chinese automaker deal is being considered for importing thousands of EVs. Wildlife Recovery: Two rehabilitated Eurasian Griffon vultures released from Saudi Arabia have settled into new home ranges in Armenia and Iraq after journeys across eight countries, signaling growing resident populations. Food Security & Water Stress: Iraq says it has reached self-sufficiency in wheat and dates for 2026, citing climate-resilient seed varieties and subsidized irrigation sprinkler systems to handle salinity and climate shocks. Anti-Corruption Spotlight: Authorities arrested the head of the Baiji Oil Institute’s training department in a corruption probe tied to Iraq’s wider Dawn Crackdown. Budget Pressure: Karbala warns it needs 350 new schools as delayed 2024–2026 budgets stall projects and leave contractors owed large sums. Climate Justice Lens: A commentary links recent Nepal flash floods to climate justice failures, arguing that warming-driven extremes hit the most vulnerable hardest despite low emissions.

Climate Justice: Nepal’s flash floods are being framed as a climate justice crisis, not “just nature,” with warming in the Himalayas driving more extreme rainfall, landslides, and drought that hit the poorest hardest. Iraq Food Security: Iraq says it reached wheat and date self-sufficiency for 2026, citing climate-resilient seed varieties and subsidized irrigation sprinklers to cut reliance on imports. Green Taxi (Air Pollution): Baghdad’s “Green Taxi” plan is moving forward amid a gasoline shortage, aiming to roll out electric taxis with charging infrastructure and pollution-impact measurements, with possible Chinese vehicle imports. Local Services & Budgets: Karbala warns it needs 350 new schools as budget delays stall construction and leave the province owing contractors, worsening overcrowding. Governance & Corruption Risks: Eco Iraq criticizes a proposed borrowing law, warning it could harm non-oil revenues and open doors to corruption and unfair competition.

Green Taxi in Baghdad: Iraq’s Transport and Environment ministries are moving ahead with a “Green Taxi” plan to roll out electric taxis and charging points in Baghdad, aiming to cut pollution while the city faces a severe gasoline shortage; officials say pollution measurements will start after launch, and a contract with a Chinese automaker is being considered to import thousands of EVs. Education strain in Karbala: Budget delays for 2024–2026 are stalling school projects in Karbala, leaving the province needing 350 new schools to ease overcrowding and relying on prefabricated classrooms, while contractors are owed about 300 billion dinars. Baghdad transport crunch: With around 3 million registered vehicles but only about 1,000 buses and not enough drivers, Baghdad’s public transport is under pressure ahead of the Sept. 20 school year. Wildlife and land recovery: A veteran in Oklahoma is restoring a 400-acre ranch by clearing invasive cedars, helping native grasses return and water flow back into streams. Sustainable land push: At UNCCD COP17, mayors adopted a declaration backing sustainable land management and drought resilience, urging stronger local government action on water security and urban-rural links.

Legal Accountability in Baghdad: Families of Iraqis killed in the 2019 Tishreen protests say they’re preparing lawsuits after Badr leader Hadi al-Ameri’s remarks, which relatives read as pointing to responsibility for their sons’ deaths—though legal experts warn the courts will decide whether the cases can proceed. Iraq’s Fish Crisis: Shafaq News reports mass fish die-offs across Iraq with no single confirmed cause, pointing to a wider food-security hit as production collapses and testing gaps leave communities unable to identify what’s driving the losses. Kurdistan Discovery: A rare stone hand-axe dating roughly 300,000–200,000 years ago was found in Sulaimani’s Sharbazher, underscoring Kurdistan’s deep prehistoric heritage. Regional Energy Links: Kuwait Fund and the GCC Interconnection Authority back a feasibility study for expanding the GCC electricity grid beyond the region, including technical, economic, and environmental assessments. Air Travel Disruption: Renewed US-Iran strikes are reshaping flight schedules across the Gulf, with Iraq also named among targets in retaliatory actions.

Water & Food Security: Shafaq News reports Iraq’s fish are dying across rivers, marshes and farms, but there’s no single confirmed cause—water scarcity, oxygen loss, suspected pollution, salinity, disease and destructive fishing are all in play, while testing often never happens. The Iraqi Fish Producers Association says output has collapsed from 900,000+ metric tons in 2018 to about 250,000–300,000 today, turning an environmental problem into a food-security crisis. Governance & Safety: Iraq’s interior ministry says crime fell to its lowest level in years during the first 100 days of PM Ali al-Zaidi’s government, citing intensified intelligence work, rapid response, and dismantling criminal networks. Heritage & Environment: A stone hand-axe dating to roughly 300,000–200,000 years ago was discovered in Sulaimani’s Sharbazher district, adding to Kurdistan’s deep prehistoric record. Regional Power & Environment: Kuwait Fund signed a KD 200,000 grant with the GCC Interconnection Authority for a feasibility study on linking the GCC electricity grid with neighboring networks, including technical, economic and environmental impact review.

Water Crisis Deal: Iraq’s Water Resources Minister says Baghdad will export 30,000 barrels of oil to Turkey to fund water projects aimed at boosting irrigation and delivering water to southern provinces, as Iraq tries to ease a long-running Tigris-Euphrates shortage blamed largely on upstream flows. Environmental Neglect in Focus: A Shafaq News analysis warns Iraq’s environmental decline is more than falling river levels and dust—arguing decades of oil-driven priorities and unplanned construction have eroded long-term resource stewardship. Wildlife & Fire Safety: A U.S. Fish and Wildlife officer died while helping residents evacuate during Oklahoma’s Railroad South wildfire, underscoring how extreme fire conditions keep threatening both people and ecosystems. Climate Alarm: A report on global warming and El Niño warns Earth is heading toward dangerous heat levels, with major wildfire and heat impacts already showing up across Europe. Maritime Risk for Iraq’s Region: Strait of Hormuz shipping remains disrupted amid U.S.-Iran escalation, with tanker attacks reported and fewer vessels transiting—raising knock-on risks for energy flows that Iraq depends on.

Water Crisis & Food Security: Iraq’s Minister of Water Resources says Baghdad agreed with Turkey to export 30,000 barrels of oil in exchange for water-related projects aimed at improving irrigation and delivering water to southern provinces, as Iraq pushes back against upstream dam impacts. Environmental Neglect in Focus: A Shafaq News piece argues Iraq’s environmental decline is deeper than dust and water-level figures, warning that decades of oil-driven priorities and unplanned construction have eroded long-term stewardship. Maritime Risk in the Gulf: Two Filipino sailors were killed after an attack on the Saudi-owned tanker SIDR in the Strait of Hormuz; UKMTO said no environmental impact was reported while shipping remains below recent levels. Climate Signals Beyond Iraq: A report on El Niño forecasts warns of extreme heat and fire risk across Europe, with heat-related deaths already recorded in Spain. Regional Conflict With Environmental Spillover: Renewed US-Iran strikes include claims of civilian harm at a wedding in southern Iran and further attacks across the region, raising fears for shipping routes and Gulf ecosystems.

Gulf Escalation’s Environmental Fallout: Iran resumed attacks across the Gulf after U.S. strikes, hitting Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, the UAE, and Iraq’s Kurdish region, while a reported strike on a wedding party raised civilian death toll concerns—an escalation that also threatens shipping and air quality through renewed oil-price pressure. Baghdad Air-Health Alert: Reports of a toxic sulfur odor blanketing Baghdad again sparked health-crisis warnings, putting immediate pressure on local monitoring and public guidance. Iraq’s Water Security: A watchdog warned Iraq risks losing benefits from higher Euphrates flows, highlighting how upstream changes can quickly translate into downstream environmental and livelihood stress. Wildlife Under Pressure: Poaching is driving wildlife decline in Iraq’s Balad, adding to the strain on biodiversity and local ecosystems. Jobs + Skills for Sustainability: In Erbil, the Rwanga Foundation with Italy’s ICU completed a 45-day vocational training program in Zakho, supporting sustainable employment for 40 graduates—an indirect but important lever for long-term environmental resilience. Digital Policy for Greener Growth: Ooredoo and UNDP opened a Doha forum on inclusive, sustainable digital economies, with Iraq represented—relevant as countries plan infrastructure that can reduce waste and improve service delivery.

Vehicle Policy & Emissions: Iraq’s Kurdistan Region (KRI) has started taxing hybrid vehicles while keeping fully electric cars exempt from registration and environmental fees, aiming to cut pollution and speed EV adoption. Wildlife & Poaching: In Saladin’s Balad district, local officials say poaching and habitat loss are driving down wild bird and animal numbers, including the native Iraqi bulbul, with authorities pushing tighter monitoring and legal action. Biodiversity Under Pressure: Iraq’s position on a major migratory flyway is making the stakes higher, as threatened species face risks tied to environmental degradation, water scarcity, and illegal hunting. Fire Risk to Crops: Duhok province reported 10 crop fires during the 2026 harvest season, extinguished by civil defense teams, with estimated losses reaching about $108,000. Water & Environment Governance: Iraq’s water situation remains in focus as Euphrates flows from Syria to Iraq were reported to have quadrupled, with the ministry citing higher upstream water levels. Local Waste & Clean-Up Efforts: Iraq-Germany waste management cooperation continues, including a waste-to-resource deal in Baghdad aimed at improving environmental services.

Water Security in Iraq: Iraq’s Green Iraq Observatory warns the country may not fully benefit from higher Euphrates flows from Syria because of sediment buildup, weak dredging, limited transfer capacity, poor coordination with upstream countries, and a lack of real-time data and early-warning systems—plus risks from diverting freshwater into saline basins and from illegal encroachments along waterways. Baghdad Environment & Health Risk: Reports say toxic sulfur odor has returned to Baghdad, raising fresh health-crisis concerns. Iraq’s Water Infrastructure Pressure: The watchdog also flags deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient canals to move surplus water quickly, especially toward the southern marshes. Regional Climate Threats: A new scientific study links shifting wind patterns to stronger winds and sandstorms across the Arab region and the Mediterranean, with knock-on effects for water, food security, clean energy, and pollutant spread. Iraq Economy Meets Environment: Iraq is weighing an oil-backed U.S. sovereign loan to cover liquidity shortfalls—an energy-finance move that could shape how much room the state has for water and environmental upkeep.

Water Security in Iraq: The Green Iraq Observatory warns Iraq may not fully benefit from higher Euphrates flows from Syria because of damaged water infrastructure, weak transfer capacity, poor coordination with upstream countries, sediment buildup, and limited dredging—plus a lack of real-time data and early-warning systems that could force risky, uneven releases into sensitive, saline areas. Food Supply Chains: Iraq imported about 90,000 tonnes of potatoes in 2025 worth $52.4m, a sign of ongoing gaps in domestic agricultural supply and food-security planning, with prices tied to logistics, climate shocks, and upstream export yields. Environmental Memory & Damage: Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani renewed calls for international recognition of the Anfal campaign as genocide, noting the campaign’s devastating impact on people and the environment. Local Governance & Environment: Iraq’s PM Ali al-Zaidi says the return of Christian families is a national priority, linking social cohesion to rebuilding and stability—an indirect but important factor for long-term environmental and community resilience. Wildlife & Disaster Response: While not Iraq-focused, reports highlight the death of a federal wildlife officer during an Oklahoma wildfire evacuation, underscoring the human cost of fast-moving disasters. Crime & Public Safety: Baghdad’s Rusafa appellate court sentenced a suspect to 15 years for kidnapping American journalist Shelly Kittleson, with the case tied to Iraq’s anti-terror framework.