Iraq

Iraq Monograph on Stakeholder Participation in the NBSAP Revision Process Prepared by: Mudhafar A. Salim Endorsed by: Dr. Ali Al-Lami, CBD National Focal Point, Iraq

1 COUNTRY SITUATION ANALYSIS 1.1 Brief Introduction The Republic of Iraq is: A country in Southwestern Asia that borders Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the southwest, Jordan to the west, and Syria to the northwest. The capital, Baghdad, is in the center of the country. Iraq includes different ethnic and religion backgrounds, and around 97% of the country's 36,000,000 people are Muslims, mainly Shias, Sunnis, and ethnic Kurds. Iraq has a narrow section of coastline measuring 58 km (36 mi) on the northern Arabian Gulf and its territory encompasses the Mesopotamian Alluvial Plain, the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, and the eastern part of the Syrian Desert. Two major rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, run south through the center of Iraq and flow into the Shatt al-Arab near the Arabian Gulf. Theses Rivers provide Iraq with significant amounts of fertile land. The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is often referred to as Mesopotamia and thought to be the birthplace of writing and the world's oldest civilizations. The area has been home to continuous successive civilizations since the 6th millennium BC. At different periods in its history, Iraq was the center of the indigenous Akkadian, Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian empires. It was also part of the Median, Achaemenid, Hellenistic, Parthian, Sassanid, Roman, Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, Mongol, Safavid, Afsharid, and Ottoman empires, and under British control as a League of Nations mandate. Iraq's modern borders were mostly demarcated in 1920 by the League of Nations when the Ottoman Empire was divided by the Treaty of Sèvres. Iraq was placed under the authority of the United Kingdom as the British Mandate of Mesopotamia. A monarchy was established in 1921 and the Kingdom of Iraq gained independence from Britain in 1932. In 1958, the monarchy was overthrown and the Republic of Iraq was created. Iraq was controlled by the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party from 1968 until 2003. After an invasion by the United States of America and its allies, Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party was removed from power and multiparty parliamentary elections were held. The American presence in Iraq ended in 2011. (source: different resources – see the web-references below) )

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Plate 1: Pictures show the location of Iraq, the flag of Iraq, and Iraq outline map Habitat Landscapes Based on a basic map developed by Gellitte at 1948, and published by Guest 1966 in the introduction of „Flora of Iraq‟ (Guest, 1966); Iraq can be classified basically into four general geographical regions that hold relatively different geographical, climate, and habitat landscape regions. Following the variety in plant cover over the different regions, the diversity of fauna is relatively rich in Iraq. The map of the landscape and the habitat pictures below, along with their description, gives an idea about the diversity of the habitat in the country.(Guest, E. (1968). Flora of Iraq).

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Plate 2: Principal geographical regions and elevations of Iraq (Salim, 2012) 

The first/northern landscape/habitat is the highlands/mountainous areas that exist mainly in the northern and northeastern parts of the country. It includes scrub and woodlands in the mountains and foothills; inland predominantly cliffs and rocky slopes; cliffs, and boulders. In general, the area features a wide array of forest layers where more light and heat can penetrate to lower canopy forest plants. Oak trees are a major component of this landscape in Iraq.

Figure 1: Snowy mountain peaks in northern Iraq, by Mudhafar Salim 

The second main landscape/habitat in Iraq is the undulated and hilly landscape/habitat that is considered as a transitional graduation between the upper habitat region (the mountains) and the next one (the desert areas). It is located at the upper parts of Middle Iraq and the range continues to the eastern parts of the country. The major feature of this range is that it contains vegetation suited for drier, warmer climates and lower moisture content (a bit similar to the desert conditions). Usually it is tree-less and holds shorter grasses. This landscape supports grazing animals such as gazelles as well as domestic cattle.

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Figure 2: The hilly areas/region in Iraq, by Mudhafar Salim 

The desert habitat/landscape represents the majority of the area of Iraq, and extends mainly along the western parts of Iraq. However, there are some deserts above the area between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, and above the areas to the east of the Tigris. This habitat harbours a wide spectrum of flora and fauna that is adapted to the extremely dry and hot conditions in Iraq, in addition to the shortage of the precipitation especially over the current decades.

Figure 3: Desert landscape in Iraq, photo by Mudhafar Salim However, the desert areas turn into large areas of green grasslands especially over the depressions and watercourses. And this feature gives these areas special importance in their ecological phases of their life. The scene below shows a desert landscape after the raining season, in western Iraq.

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Figure 4: Desert landscape after raining season, photo by Mudhafar Salim 

The Mesopotamian marshlands and the alluvial plain: this landscape exists across the middle and eastern parts of southern Iraq. This landscape is characterized of being vast but plain areas that hold scattered waterbodies, either permanent or temporary, especially at the southern parts of this region where the marshes of Lower Mesopotamia are. The area provides suitable habitat for a wide range of fauna especially waterfowl. Huge numbers of migratory waterfowl use this area either during their passage in their Eurasia-Africa migration, or spend the winter over these vast marshlands. The marshlands of Southern Iraq got drained for political reasons during the period of the mid-80s to the early 2000s, but started restoring themselves naturally after the mid 2000s, and restored their global importance in harboring large numbers of Waterfowl and other birds and fauna taxa (Salim, 2009).

Figure 5: Marshlands landscape in southern Iraq, by Mudhafar Salim The map below shows the different habitats patterns and landscapes of Iraq described above as a continuous range that is related mainly to the elevation above the sea level. The map also gives a general idea about the percentages of the areas of these different habitats and how they are distributed in Iraq.

1.2 Ecoregions of Iraq According to the WWF that described both: the terrestrial and aquatic biomes/habitat types and the classification system that was developed by them, and based on the currently

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existing data, Iraq includes two of these habitat types: the terrestrial ecoregion, and the aquatic ecoregion (WWF, 2014). And according to their global map, eleven main terrestrial ecoregions can be found in Iraq, some of which can be classified as a “key ecoregion” that covers larger areas of the country. The table below excludes the ecoregions that are of very „weak‟ influence in the Iraqi habitats, and there is no large representation of the elements characterizing these ecoregions in Iraq. It focuses only on that kinds of ecoregions that can be found on ground, and this is based on the existing information. Yet, there should be a bigger effort to study this area of work thoroughly in order to come up with a better understanding on the status of these ecoregions, with more focus on the ecoregions that have small areas in Iraq (Iraqi Ministry of Environment, 2014). Table 1: the key terrestrial ecoregions of Iraq. Terrestrial Ecoregions Tigris-Euphrates alluvial salt marsh (PA0906) Arabian Desert and East Sahero-Arabian Xeric Shrublands (PA1303) Mesopotamian Shrub Desert (PA1320) Middle East Steppe (PA0812) Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllousbroadleaf forest (PA1207) Red Sea Nubo-Sindian Tropical Desert and Semi-Desert (PA1325) South Iran Nubo-Sindian Desert and SemiDesert (PA1328) Gulf Desert and Semi-Desert (PA1323) Zagros Mountains Forest Steppe (PA0446) Total

Total Area (km2) 35,600 1,851,300

Area in Iraq (km2)

% in Iraq

28,795 192,853

81% 10%

211,000 132,300 143,800

129,995 37,598 1,475

62% 28% 1%

651,300

5,189

1%

351,500

7,993

2%

72,600 397,800

1,480 29,376

2% 7%

3,847,200

434,753

The map below shows the terrestrial ecoregions of Iraq based on the recently collected information (Iraq Ministry of Environment, 2010).

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Map 3: Major Iraqi Ecoregions with KBA Sites (WWF) The Freshwater and marine ecoregions of the world are also represented in Iraq including three different freshwater ecoregions (Arabian Interior (440)), Lower Tigris and Euphrates (441), Upper Tigris and Euphrates (442)) and one marine ecoregion (Arabian/Persian Gulf (90)), which is part of the Western Indo-Pacific Realm (WWF, 2014).

1.3 Governance Structures in Iraq Before the MoE was founded, Iraq had a well-developed system of environmental governance and monitoring. In 1986, the Environment Protection Directorate (EPD) was established within the Health Ministry. With the introduction of the Environment Protection and Improvement Law in 1997, the Environment Protection and Improvement Council was formed (EPIC) headed by the minister of health.. EPIC principal duties were to:      

Review EPID’s work plan, at both national and governorate levels; Approve environmental quality standards; Serve as an intra-governmental coordination body; Deliver decisions, including sanctions for environmental offences; Create an overall environmental policy framework, and Formulate Iraq’s position in regional and international environmental negotiations and consider accession to international agreements.

In late 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council and Coalition Provisional Authority approved a resolution for the creation of a new Environment Ministry, This was followed by the issuance of the Iraqi constitution in 2005; where Article (114) Third paragraph of it on environmental policy to ensure the protection of the environment from pollution and maintaining cooperation with the regions and governorates that are not organized in a region , then the issuance of Law 37 of 2008, which officially establishes the MoE and outlines its mandate to protect and conserve Iraq‟s environment, as well as protect the residents of Iraq from environmental pollutants and environmental risks to human health. Other duties include the development of environmental policies and programs, as well as the creation and enforcement of environmental standards. One year later, in 2009, the Environment Protection and

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Improvement Law of 1997 was again updated and amended by Law 27, which continues to be the country‟s main environmental statute (Ministry of Environment, 2014).

1.4 Institutional, sectoral and policy context The National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan of Iraq 2013-2017 (NESAP) was developed by the Ministry of Environment in a joint effort with UNEP and UNDP and launched in June 2013. The document addresses all environmental issues and concerns in Iraq and provides for actions and objectives within the time frame set. Many cross-cutting themes of the NESAP are addressing biodiversity concerns and issues that will be covered and developed also in the NBSAP of Iraq. 10 strategic objectives have been set in the strategy; for each of them various indicators and projects have been defined, including Biodiversity. Specifically, the Strategic Objective 5 is addressed to “Protection and sustainable use of biodiversity”.

1.5 Primary Environmental Laws in Iraq The Iraqi Ministry of Environment (MoE) is a relatively new body in comparison with other Ministries. However, the MoE has worked hard in issuing, or participated in issuing, some of the basic regulations and laws as regards the environment issues in Iraq. There were old laws that were dealing with the environmental issues in Iraq mainly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, and the MoE has continued developing additional laws after its foundation in 2003. Table 2: the different environmental regulations and laws in Iraq Type Law Number Year Name Regulation Instruction Order

4 3 3

2012 2012 2012

Regulation Domestic Law Domestic Law Domestic Law Domestic Law

5 17 27 30 8

2012 2010 2009 2009 2008

Regulation Resolution Instruction Instruction Regulation

2 141 11 3 14

2001 2001 1992 1990 1990

Instruction Domestic Law Instruction

4 99 4

1989 1980 1972

Protection of Ambient Air Quality National Emission Standards National Standards for the use of sewage water in agriculture Control of materials affecting the Ozone Layer Wild Animal Protection Law Protection and Improvement of the Environment Forest Law Protection and Improvement of the Environment in Kurdistan Preservation of Water Resources Prohibition of Lumbering Timber and Trees Importation of Seeds Pesticides Manufacturing, Handling and Storing Regulation of Industrial, Agricultural, and Service Projects Safety of Storage and Handling of Chemicals Protection from Ionic Radiation Contamination Limits for Rivers

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Type legislation (law regulation instructions)

The current situation

Ministry of the Environment Act – the establishment of the ministry of the Environment (instead of the Council to protect and improve the environment previously )

No. and The year of Legislation The current situation No. (37) for the year 2008 previously order No. (44) of the Coalition provisional Authority (CPA) of the year 2003

Law

Valid

Regulation on natural protected areas

No. (139) for the year 2014

Regulation

Biosafety Act of organisms genetically modified and its products the Accesion act of Iraq to the convention of international trading of the endangered spp. of wild animals and plants (Iraq is the party No. 180) The decree of Iraq accession to the convention of migratory spp.(CMS) The accession decree of on the convention of conservation of African Eurasion Migratory Waterfowl


Law

Valid

No (29) for the year 2012

Law

valid


Decree

Valid


Decree

Valid

Law

Valid

Law

Valid

Law

Valid

No (74) for the year 2010

Law

Valid

No. 1 for the year 2010 No. 11 for the year 2010

law law

Was approved adopted

No. 7 for the year 2009

law

adopted


law

Was approved


law

Was approved

Title

Law to protect and improve the environment Wild Animals Protection Act instead of the law on the Protection of wild Animals and Birds Law of Forests and trees prohibition of the importation of plants to Iraq – attributes to the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture the sole authority to import plants and prohibits the import of all plants in support to Instruction No. 11 Consumer protection law Iraqi products protection law Law of the republic of Iraq’s accession to the United Nations Frame work Convention to combat Desertification Law of the republic of Iraq’s accession the United Nations Framework for Climate change and its Kyoto protocol Law of the republic of Iraq’s accession to the convention on Biological Diversity

No. (27) for the year 2009 (previously law No. ( 3 ) for the year 1979) No. (17) for the year 2010 ( previously law No ( 21) for the year 1979 No. (30) for the year 2009 (previously law No. (75) for the year 1955

Valid

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Title Law of the republic of Iraq’s accession to the Ramsar convention on Wetlands Rules of procedure and the establishment of Ministry of Environment and its functions Establishment and functions of the council to protect and improve the environment in the provinces Terms of adoption of consulting offices and laboratories in the fields of environmental protection Direct implementation

No. and The year of Legislation The current situation

Type legislation (law regulation instructions)

The current situation


law

Was approved


regulation

valid

No. (1) for the year 2012 No. (1) for the year 2011 No. (1) for the year 2011

Directive Directive Directive

valid valid valid

And in the annex more detailed tables of environmental legislations in Iraq. The protection of the environment was dealt with nationally in the Constitution of Iraq (2005) that includes protecting the environment and biodiversity as one on the fundamental principles of the country. Article 33 of the Iraqi Constitution1 reads: “First: Every individual has the right to live in safe environmental conditions. Second: The State shall undertake the protection and preservation of the environment and its biological diversity”. With the logistical and financial support of GEF and UNEP, and as a result of the Iraqi Ministry of Environment‟s initiative, an active project on the “First NBSAP for Iraq and Development of Fifth National Report to the CBD” has been initiated as of November 2012 and is expected to end in October 2014. The development of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and its implementation strategy is still on-going, but clusters of relevant achievements have been reached in particular in regards to the overall biodiversity target setting and stakeholder consultation process. While setting the national targets, Iraq has addressed nine themes of Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

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Ref. Iraqi Constitution, 2005

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1.6 Convention on Biological Diversity Iraq acceded to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2009, and became the 192nd party. The national focal point for the CBD is Dr. Ali Al-Lami - deputy Minister of Environment of Iraq, who lead and follow up the implementation the CBD programmes according to their guidelines, in addition the development and implementation process of the national actions, plans and activities that are related to the Biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use in Iraq, within the framework of Global Strategic Plan of Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and according to the national priorities.. Since the accession to the CBD, as part of Iraq‟s obligations as a Party to the Convention and to advance implementation of its objectives, one of the major steps taken by the Ministry of Environment was the timely submission to the CBD Secretariat of the first Iraqi National Report on Biodiversity (fourth national report). This document, published in 2010 (after six months of the CBD accession) came out as a response to Article 26 of the Convention on Biodiversity which requires regular reporting by country members. Although Iraq was at the time a new party to the Convention and this was the country‟s first report to the Secretariat, the CBD's guidelines for the Fourth National Report were used in its preparation. The report examined the status of biodiversity within Iraq and laid down the groundwork for the development of a national biodiversity strategy and action plan (NBSAP) to protect the diverse and vital species and ecosystems of Iraq (Iraq Ministry of Environment, 2014). The Program of Work on Protected Areas (POWPA) Action Plan of Iraq was submitted to the CBD in May 2012. It has provided additional data and information on existing and proposed protected areas in Iraq, and it is planned to be fully implemented by 2020. Five main goals of CBD-POWPA were targeted nationally, as listed below: o o o o o

To establish and strengthen national and regional systems of protected areas integrated into a global network as a contribution to globally agreed goals To substantially improve site-based protected area planning and management To prevent and mitigate the negative impacts of key threats to protected areas To provide an enabling policy, institutional and socio-economic environment for protected areas To build capacity for the planning, establishment and management of protected areas

Aiming at fulfilling the requirements of the POWPA program, Legislation on "System of protected areas" has been issued in Iraq and the Iraqi Ministry of Environment (MoE) has drafted a preliminary document of 21 proposed Protected Areas to be discussed and approved (Iraq Ministry of Environment , 2014b). And the 5th National report of Iraq to CBD, has been submitted on 7th of April, 2014.

1.7 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) Iraq now is in the final stages of developing its first NBSAP. The final draft of NBSAP document has been finalized; and distributed to key stakeholders and related Ministries. It is expected that the government with different stakeholders among different Ministries and other related bodies and institutions (including the NGOS and CSOs) will play a participatory role in delivering the main messages and the vision that support the Iraqi NBSAP. It will also play a crucial role in the implementation of its targets and the policy mechanism to achieve the intended actions and outcomes. In continuation of the efforts to develop the NBSAP, the awareness and communication were vital issue throughout the whole process. There was some kind of continuity and follow up to the awareness of the importance of the biodiversity issues with the

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stakeholders, and this was done through different ways; either through formal letters among the different Ministries and other related bodies, face to face contact, consultative workshops, or via e-mail. The NBSAP team were doing their best in providing the required support by sharing any information regarding this issue. During the workshops for the NBSAP‟s preparation that served as consultations with stakeholders, various interviews were conducted with the main satellite TV channels in Iraq. These channels were invited by the organizers of each event (each workshop) represented by the CBD Focal Point‟s office‟s staff in the MoE. Many questions and inquiries were put forward by the TV interviewers, and many interviews were made with the international and national experts and with the stakeholders‟ themselves.

Figure 6: during one of NBSAP national workshops During an interview with one of the stakeholders (NGO representatives), he said: “I’m really delighted to find myself here in this great event. I was not able even to imagine that I’ll be participating in developing a national strategy! My participation in the first NBSAP does mean very much to me as an ecologist first, then as a representative for a related NGO that contributes to do something good for my country … I’ve learnt a lot, and have contributed to the discussions … it was really great experience!” (Ali, Salwan, personal communications). The UNEP/ROWA newsletter talked about the National Workshop of setting targets and indicators that was held in collaboration with CBD, WCMC and UNEP/ROWA. This was one of the important international channels that spread the word of the success of this experience in Iraq. Some of the stakeholders and the experts were contacted by interested people on the national targets and further discussions were made with those interested peoples and bodies that were eager to know more about this experience in Iraq. During one of the global workshops that has been organized by the CBD, the Iraqi delegation represented by Dr. Ali Al-Lami (CBD Focal Point) delivered a side-event presentation on the progress being made in the development of Iraq‟s NBSAP and preparation of the fifth national report. The presentation was very well received by the international audience, and it was followed by intensive discussions about how Iraq has made this successful story on developing its NBSAP under the current security situation! Acknowledgment letter was addressed to the Iraqi NBSAP Team as a reflection to the side event above. The secretariat of CBD sent this letter to the MoE to express their genuine deep congratulation for the Iraq efforts to develop the NBSAP in this perfect way as Iraq strictly followed the guidelines of CBD throughout the entire NBSAP development process.

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Moreover, the Iraqi NBSAP development process was used as a case study during the Capacity-building workshop for West Asia and North Africa on ecosystem conservation and restoration to support achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets in Amman, Jordan 1-5 February 2014. Also, UNEP-ROWA has addressed acknowledgement letter to MoE congratulating Iraq for its fluent and transparent way of developing its first NBSAP. Iraq also shared its experience and success story at another international workshop for the capacity building of the 5th national report and NBSAP that was held in Qatar. Subsequently, the entire event, the national workshops and meetings was broadcasted on the national channel in Iraq during the program "Life and environment". This program has shown the success of Iraq in implementing the steps for its first NBSAP by including thoroughly the stakeholders and the successful output of this Iraqi project. As a general belief of the necessity of sharing the expertise and the lessons learnt from the implementation of the stocktaking exercise of the stakeholders, Iraq has contributed on the NBSAP Forum to publish the reports and the progress in the NBSAP. Also, the MoE has shared the news of the workshops and the related stories for the NBSAP on its website as a starting step towards creating an active but functioning national CHM. Wherever possible, the staff of the CBD Focal Point‟s office in MoE in addition to the international and national experts were very active in disseminating the NBSAP‟s principles and ideas in every single event and workshop. This was done through delivering the outcomes of this successful experience to the audience whenever related issues/subject emerged.

1 NBSAP COORDINATION AND INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE The Iraqi Ministry of Environment is the leading body for the NBSAP of Iraq. It is the initiator for this national strategy as well as the main implementing body. Technically, the work is coordinated by the Staff of CBD National Focal Point office in MoE, UNEP-ROWA and the international and national experts, who were all responsible for the required measurements and procedures that ensure the best implementation of the set workplan. When attending some of the workshop outside Iraq, the UNEP-ROWA staff had a great role in facilitating and expressing many major issues that considerably contributed in developing the work and to achieving good results along with the stakeholders that were attending these workshops. The development process of the first NBSAP was led by the Ministry of Environment, represented by the National Focal Point of CBD in Iraq, is also coordinating the communication and arrangement on all of the issues that are related to the NBSAP in Iraq. It coordinates and manages the financial aspect and the contracting and the coverage of the implementation of the workshops. The international and national experts for the NBSAP in Iraq are communicating directly with Dr. Ali Al-Lami. The Ministry of Environment has coordinated the preparations and the implementations of the national and local workshops related to the NBSAP in Iraq. The Iraqi Ministry of Environment leads the development of the NBSAP in Iraq. Different stakeholders from different institutions and governmental sectors and NGOs (mainly environmental or environment-related NGOs) were receiving the MoE‟s invitations to attend the workshops. This represents the basic step of collaboration and consultation for the NBSAP in Iraq, and might be reinforced by the actual contributions and participations of these different bodies in the implementing stages of the NBSAP in Iraq in terms of financing, skills and technical advice.

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When the above scenario get developed by more cooperation and interfering among the different situations that are responsible on implementing the items of the action plan of the strategy, there will be more inter-ministerial coordination as the tasks of the implementation require. At the time of implementation, it is expected that the MoE will stay the leading body for the implementation the action plan of the strategy, and that would be due to the necessity of the presence of one umbrella/body that coordinates and facilitates the work on the strategy. Given this is the first NBSAP for Iraq, it is not expected that the process goes smoothly. Despite that the response to the invitation addressed to the different institutions were positive and carries high level of commitment and high sense of responsibility, it is still expected that the bureaucratic way of the governmental management hinders the cooperation and synergistic efforts among the stakeholders. This exists in many of the governmental institutions and Ministries, and this would directly affect the smooth implementation of the action plan of the strategy.

Step1:Gettin g organized Step2:Assessment/ Country study & biodiversity baseline

Step 3: Consultatio n

National Consultation

Step 8: Reporti ng STOCKTAKING Bringing Stakeholders together and starting communication

Sub-national Consultation North Iraq

Central Iraq

South Iraq Step 6: Implementati on

Step 4: Target & indicators setting

5

th

NATIONAL REPORT

Step 7: Monitorin g

Step 5: Developing a Plan of Action

Diagram 1: The structure established to manage the development process was as follows:

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2 COMMUNICATION, PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION First, the NBSAP creation process was announced through the formal communications originated from the Iraqi Ministry of Environment, which were addressed to the governmental and non-governmental institutions, scientific communities … etc. These communications were done either directly to the key stakeholders‟ institutions or by e-mail to the representatives in these relevant institutions. During the execution of the steps of the plan for the work on developing the NBSAP either on the national or the local level, different means were used to communicate with stakeholders (including the above-mentioned ones). The message that was delivered to the stakeholders was to update them about the details of the development of the NBSAP with additional focus on the stakeholders that were absent in any related activity for some reason. Communications were delivered via various channels and means of which e-mailattachments and printed materials were the most used means. The publication of the different materials that were distributed to the stakeholders and to other related (and even unrelated – just for education) bodies were as follows: Table 3: -The different kinds of the printed materials, videos, CDs, and website items for the stakeholders: Publisher

Publication date

Expert Group

MOEI

19-20/12/2012

Biodiversity Glossary

BEG

MOEI

26-27/5/2013

Newsletter

National Workshop to help Iraq develop its first National Biodiversity Strategy and action plan

UNEPROWA

UNEPROWA

July 2013

4

Report

NBSAP Stocktaking and Assessment report - Iraq

Project Steering Committee + Expert Group

MOEI

January 2014

5

Report

Report of the National and Sub-national consultations (North central and South Iraq) for the NBSAP)

Project Steering Committee + Expert Group

MOEI

January 2014

6

Report

Report of the International Workshop on the National Biodiversity Strategy and

UNEPROWA + UNEPWCMC +

MOEI

January 2014

No

Type

Title

1

Brochures

Technical workshop

2

Glossary

3

Author(s) Editor(s)

15

action plan (NBSAP) and Indicators for Iraq

MOEI

7

Brochures

First NBSAP for Iraq and Development of Fifth National Report to the CBD

MoEI + BEG

MOEI

November 2013

8

soft products (CDs)

Reports of the NBSAP

MOEI

MOEI

December 2013

9

Report

5th national report

MOEI

MOEI

MAY 2014

In addition to the items mentioned above, a detailed report “NBSAP Stocktaking and Assessment Report” was carried out during the stocktaking phase in order to set the baseline biodiversity assessment, and it also aimed at providing a full and comprehensive list of the various actors that could be involved in the Strategy drafting and implementation, depending also on their power, roles and responsibilities.. The good attendance of stakeholders from different institutions (including governmental and NGOs) can be seen as a good indicator to the response and the sense of responsibility among those stakeholders. This was also reflected during the conducting of the workshop and their contribution during these workshops. The stakeholders were very keen to know the results of the each workshop, and this can be measured based on the frequent phone calls and e-mails from them about finalizing/publishing the outcomes of the workshop. One of the stakeholders, M. Turki has reported after attending one of the local workshops that was conducted in Basra, southern Iraq: “After finishing our contribution in this workshop, I’m very eager to know what are the outcome and the outputs of this workshop! Excuse me in advance if I’m going to send you frequent inquiries about the results of this workshop! ” (Turki, personal communication).

2.1 Stakeholder identification First and prior to developing the basic list of the stakeholders, the process of identifying stakeholders was based on simply listing all of the relevant governmental institutions and NGOs in Iraq. Then, the refining process was adopted in order to reach to the best representative in each institution. For example, the stakeholder closest to the environmental issues was invited in order to acquire better contribution and involvement by the relevant person on the issue of conservation of biodiversity. At the same time, whenever possible, a representative of relatively higher level in his/her institution was the best choice because those representatives might participate in making the decision in their institutions. So the decision of the selecting the stakeholder was taken after discussing the status of each of those stakeholders. Different stakeholders participated in the workshops of the NBSAP in different places and times in Iraq. They belong to different related Ministries, academia and NGO representatives (from nature conservation and hunting NGOs). Some of those stakeholders are decision-makers, academics and researchers and women, however, the majority of the attendees were men. The main criteria that was used for the selection process was the relationship and the potential effect of this stakeholder on biodiversity in Iraq. And based on

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this criteria, that reflected on the quality of the people selected, the results were of high quality. The NBSAP team think that the main motivation for participating by those different stakeholders was the bad conditions of the environment in general and biodiversity in particular in Iraq, in addition to the self motivation of the majority of the stakeholders (if not all of them) in doing something good for their country. They understood that they were contacted and brought together to participate in solving some serious issues at the local and national levels, and that‟s why they did their best in providing the information that were then fed into the reports and finally into the strategy itself. One of the participants has reported while attending one of the local workshops: “I’m happy for my participation in this event, and my contribution would be as important as the importance and the seriousness of the issue that we are gather for – the protection of the natural resources and the biodiversity in my country”. There were two different methods used to identify and classify stakeholders. They are necessary to define relevant characteristics concerning their direct/indirect participation to the plan, or their level of interest in the subject or again the way in which they benefit or not from ecosystem services. This comparative analysis is useful to understand the role each stakeholder can play in the NBSAP, the best way in which they can be contacted and involved and to what phase of the process they can best contribute (Ministry of Environment, 2014). The table below shows the different stakeholders along with their different backgrounds and institutions that contributed to the NBSAP of Iraq. It also shows the phase of the planning process in which the stakeholder participates. The involvement differs from consulting, to planning, to the management phases. Table 4: The stakeholders of NBSAP I Iraq. (for further details, find the full table in the annex please). Stakeholder

Relative institution

1.Parliament 2.Ministry of Environment (MoE)

Heath and environment committee - Advisor office - Technical office-Biodiversity dept. - Environmental directorate in the governorates - legal department  General company for livestock services.  General company for horticulture and forestry.  General authority for fish resources development.  General authority for examining and certification of seeds.  General authority for palms.  Department of Planning and the followingup.  Marshes revival centre.  National centre for water resources management. - Department of environmental studies. - Department of strategic studies.

5.Ministry of Agriculture

3.Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) CRIM (Center for the Restoration of Iraqi Marshlands) 6.Ministry of Oil

 Department of studies, planning and the followingup:  Department of Environment :

Phase of the planning process Consultation Consultation and Planning management Consultation and Planning

Consultation And Engagement

Consultation Planning and engagement

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7.Ministry of Planning

8.Ministry of Health

-Division of water pollution control. - Division of air pollution control. - Division of soil pollution control. - Division of environmental planning. and radiometric survey.  Department of regional and local development/ department of sustainable development.  Department of planning sectors. The central static directorate.  Department of public health.  The unit of health, education awareness and protection.

9.Governorate Authorities

Advisory board – the prime minister council

10.Municipalities, Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works 11.International organizations and Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)

 General directorate of municipalities - Department of the environment. General directorate of planning and follow-up.

12. Ministry of finance 14. Ministry of higher education and scientific research 15. Research institutions and universities

 UNEP  Global environmental facility (GEF).  World health organization (WHO).  United nations educational, scientific and cultural organization(UNESCO). Follow and planning department  Department of studies, planning and follow-up.  Department of pilot projects management- Division of the development projects.  Research Centres in the Universities :  Baghdad university, including various Colleges  Al- Nahrain university: 1-Biotechnology department. 2-Center of researches and biotechnology.  Al- Mostansria university: College of science / microbiology department  The university of Technology 1-The environmental research center 2-The center of technological and renewable energy. Al- Mosel university : 1-College of environment sciences and their technologies. 2-The center of environmental research and Pollution control.

Consultation, Planning, and engagement Consultation and Planning Informing and engagement Consultation, Planning and Implementation Consultation, Planning and Implementation Consultation and Planning

Consultation and Planning Consultation and Implementation Consultation and Implementation

3-College of forest and agriculture / forest Department.  Babel University / The center of local environmental research.  Dhi Qar university / The center of Marshland researches.  Various Iraqi Universities  College of agriculture/ Department of horticulture and palm / biology department.  Marine science center.

18

16.Teachers and education staff, Ministry of education 17.Professional hunters

Iraqi teachers association Iraqi lecturer union

Consultation

 Iraqi association of hunting and Environment protection.

Consultation

 

Nongovernmental organization (NGOs)

18.Environmental NGOs

Nature Iraq organization. The Iraqi Organization for Conservation of Nature - IOCN  Iraqi association of hunting and Environment protection.  Aden association of Marshes development.  Iraqi Environment Protection association.  Association of population protection from environmental pollution.  Social and Environment organization.  Iraq council for fishing support.  Together association of human and environment protection.  Iraqi palm farmers association.  Association of enthusiast and professionals of Iraqi fishing.  Roaaya center for research and strategic studies.  Iraqi care and Humane Society.  Various NGOs and CSOs

19.Private Companies  Iraqi company for manufacturing and marketing of and multinationals: oil, dates. wood, agriculture,  Samarra Pharmaceutical Co. fishery, wildlife trade,  Oil company SOMO (civil-Government). pharmaceutical  General Company for Grain Processing. 20.Wildlife products transformation and manufacturing companies 21.Local commercial  Department of trading and financial control activities and trading Department of planning and follow up. companies, Ministry of Trading 22.Industries Department of industrial development and Regulation Ministry of Industry department of environment. and minerals 23.General Public 24.Citizens of urban centres 25.Media and communication agencies

Engagement

Consultation Planning and Implementation Consultation and Implementation

Consultation

Consultation

Consultation

Consultation Consultation

 Iraqi media network.

Consultation

19

26.Celebrities

Consultation

27.Religious leaders

Consultation

28.Poor and physically/mentally marginalized people 29.Local communities and indigenous people

Consultation

Consultation Planning and Implementation -

30.Poor people 31.Displaced Local communities and indigenous people 32.Ministry of Interior 33. Ministry of justice 34. Ministry of electricity 35.Ministry of Foreign Affairs

36. Ministry of science and technology

37. Ministry of Defense 38. Ministry of Labour and social affair

Consultation

Directorate of environmental police

Implementation

 Council of state.  Implementation department. Planning and researches

Consultation

 Department of International cooperation, organizations and conferences.  Department of Environment.  Department of Conventions.  Department of sustainable development. Department of Political planning.  Department of material research / oil and petrochemicals research.  Department of environment and water/ environmental researches Directorate of military engineering.

Consultation

 Department of planning and follow-up.  Department of labor and vocational training.

Engagement

Consultation and Engagement

Informing and engagement Informing

39. Ministry of tourism and antiquities

 General Authority for Antiquities

Informing

40. Ministry of Culture

 Department of cultural relations.

Informing

41. The State Ministry for Women's Affairs

 The state ministry for women's affairs

Informing

42. Ministry of education

Iraqi teachers association

Informing

43. Ministry of Human Rights

 National center for human rights  Legal directorate

Informing

44. Ministry of communication

 Directorate of planning and follow up.

Informing

45. Provincial Councils

 Health and environment committee / Baghdad provincial council and the rest of the provinces.

Informing

Iraqi lecturer union

20

 Municipal councils in Baghdad and other provinces. 46. Kurdistan Regional Government

 Authority of protection and improvement of the environment.

47. Financial agencies and mechanisms: GEF, EU, Donors

Engagement and consultation Consultation and Planning

The criteria adopted for selecting the stakeholders was thorough and fair to cover as much representatives from relevant institutions, Ministries as well as NGOs. This selection was reflected by the wide spectrum of attendees and the quality and diversity of the replies and answers for the different questions provided. There was some sort of relationship between the diversity of the different institutions that were invited and the richness of the answers and feedback acquired during the different workshops either on the national or on the local levels.

Ecosystem approach The approach used to identify the different stakeholders for a process or plan was a topdown approach that takes into account the higher institutional levels that are known or foreseen to play a decisional or financial role in the process. An alternative and straightforward way to identify stakeholders is to adopt the ecosystem approach. Having identified the main ecosystems of Iraq, the services they provide can be listed and their status and trends assessed. By identifying the societal groups that are contributing to determine the status and trend of the ecosystem service or that are most likely to be affected by changes in their status or declining trends, the main stakeholders important for the NBSAP can be determined. Relevant questions that were requested to be answered by the pariticipants during the workshop in order to catogerize their answers, and are listed below: − Who uses or impacts on ecosystem services? − Who benefits from the ecosystem service and who does not? − Who wishes to benefit from the ecosystem service but is unable to do so? − Who will be affected by a change in the status/trend/management of the ecosystem service? (source:CBD).

21

Plate 4: Different kinds of questions were addressed to cover wider areas of discussions.

2.2 Stakeholder engagement After the process of the stakeholders stocktaking was completed and a final list of stakeholders was developed, the stakeholders were informed directly and the engagement process started when the first group attended the first workshop in Baghdad. The same process was followed for the workshops that followed the first one. The table below summarizes how stakeholders were to be engaged in some of the key components of the NBSAP elaboration process. The stocktaking and assessment phase is just one of the 5 components. In the table all components have been broken down into the main outcomes and milestones and the stakeholders to be involved have been identified in a separate column. Some comments with stakeholder engagement are for example the assessment of causes and consequences of biodiversity loss (component 1.1.3), the development of priorities and targets (component 2.1.1) or the assessment of costs for creating the implementation plan (component 4). (Ministry of Environment, 2014). Table 5: Milestones of the project and project components (Ministry of Environment, 2014). COMPONENT

INDICATOR/MILESTONE

COMPONENT 1: STOCKTAKING AND ASSESSMENT Outcome 1.1 Improved and 1.1.1 Comprehensive stakeholder more realistic decision making inventories and elaboration of on Biodiversity (BD) best consultation modalities conservation by the relevant 1.1.2 Completed reports from Ministries of Government of reviews of existing national plans & Iraq (GoI), resulting from policies on Biodiversity improved baseline data and conservation

STAKEHOLDER GROUPS INVOLVED Government Ministries and institutional bodies Government Ministries and institutional bodies

22

COMPONENT

INDICATOR/MILESTONE

STAKEHOLDER GROUPS INVOLVED better understanding of the 1.1.3 Reports emanating from Government Ministries and current baseline situation review of causes and institutional bodies Scientific Community consequences of BD loss, and Indigenous People value of BD to human well being COMPONENT 2 : SETTING NATIONAL TARGETS, PRINCIPLES, & MAIN PRIORITIES OF THE STRATEGY Outcome 2.1 National 2.1.1 Iraq-specific BD conservation Government Ministries and implementation of the targets, principles, and priorities institutional bodies Convention on Biological are developed in a consultative Scientific Community Diversity (CBD) is improved fashion, according to best Indigenous People and enhanced as status of international standards of practice NGOs biodiversity, and measurable and based upon CBD guidance Private Sector targets for conservation and sustainable use are operationalised in Iraq at national and sub-national levels, and mainstreamed into other relevant sectors and development plans COMPONENT 3: STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT Outcome 3.1 Iraq adopts and 3.1.1 The preliminary NBSAP Government Ministries and commences to use countryreport is shared with relevant institutional bodies specific indicators and targets stakeholders and integrated into Scientific Community sectoral development, poverty Indigenous People reduction, and climate change plans NGOs in Iraq Private Sector 3.1.2 Other sectoral development, Government Ministries and poverty reduction, and climate institutional bodies change plans reflecting NBSAP Scientific Community targets Indigenous People NGOs Private Sector COMPONENT 4: DEVELOPMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES Outcome 4.1 GoI BD Budgets 4.1.1 Costed Capacity Development Government Ministries and are adjusted as a result of an Plan for NBSAP Implementation is institutional bodies improved understanding of in place Private Sector existing BD conservation NGOs capacity, available technology, 4.1.2 Technology Needs Government Ministries and and BD conservation gaps Assessment Report is in place institutional bodies NGOs Scientific Community 4.1.3 Costed Communication Government Ministries and Strategy to support the NBSAP in institutional bodies place NGOs Media 4.1.4 Costed Resource Mobilisation Government Ministries and Plan for NBSAP implementation is institutional bodies in place NGOs Private Sector COMPONENT 5: INSTITUTIONAL, MONITORING, REPORTING AND EXCHANGE

23

COMPONENT

INDICATOR/MILESTONE

Outcome 5.1 Major stakeholders and the general public are better informed and enabled to lobby for improved BD Conservation measures in Iraq Outcome 5.2 The CBD Conference of the Parties (COP) uses the results of the project to support decision making to improve BD conservation actions in Iraq

5.1.1 National BD Coordination Structures in place and Operational

5.1.2 National CHM is in place and operational

5.2.1 Fifth National Reports submitted to the SCBD by the recommended COP 10 deadline

STAKEHOLDER GROUPS INVOLVED Government Ministries and institutional bodies NGOs Scientific Community Government Ministries and institutional bodies NGOs Scientific Community Government Ministries and institutional bodies NGOs Scientific Community

The following Diagram proposes a global timeline for the two-year framework of the project, the different colors of the lines for each milestone represent different groups of stakeholders to be involved in that specific phase of the project (Ministry of Environment, 2014).

24

Figure 7: Gannt Diagram for the Stakeholder involvement

Gannt Diagram for NBSAP process and stakeholder involvement in each phase July-12

October-12

January-13

April-13

August-13 November-13 February-14

June-14

1.1.1 1.1.3 3.1.1 4.1.1

4.1.3 5.1.1 5.2.1

Government ministries and institutional bodies Government Ministries and institutional bodies, Scientific Community, Indigenous People Government Ministries and institutional bodies, Scientific Community, Indigenous People, NGOs, Private Sector Government Ministries and institutional bodies, Private Sector, NGOs Government Ministries and institutional bodies, NGOs, Scientific Community Government Ministries and institutional bodies, NGOs, Media

25

1 INTEGRATION OF STAKEHOLDER’S VIEWS IN THE NBSAP 1.1 Management of Societal Actor’s Inputs At the outset, information relevant to the NBSAP development was generated and distributed to stakeholders using various ways. Different forms, questionnaires and reports were shared with them also when carrying out the national and local workshops. For example the 5th National Report on Biodiversity was distributed during these workshops. This report includes the most updated information (up to 2014) on the status of biodiversity and the challenges faced by the environment and biodiversity in Iraq. Also, colored maps of Iraq (large size) of the ecoregions, habitats, etc. were distributed to stakeholders in order to make the biodiversity issues as clear as possible, especially for stakeholders from different backgrounds. The international and the national experts were facilitating the workshops with the help of the Focal Point‟s office staff. All the logistical support was provided by the staff of the Focal Point‟s office in the Ministry of Environment. The Focal Point himself, Dr. Ali Allami, was contributing in explaining various ideas and point of views during the workshops either on the national and the local levels.

Figure 8: The CBD and NBSAP NFP Dr Ali Allami during the opening remarks of one of the NBSAP workshops Different views were shared and discussed by the stakeholder during the workshops on the national and local levels. The stakeholders submitted serious ideas for discussion, and at the end they were convinced that their points will be addressed and dealt with in the technical report and the NBSAP itself, however, different questions and point of views were discussed and the solutions were discussed among the different related institutions. The NBSAP workshops provided the best opportunity for stakeholder to gather and discuss various issues related to biodiversity and environment.

26

Figure 9: The CBD and NBSAP NFP Dr Ali Allami during discussing an issue with the stakeholders from different institutions When discussing the Aichi Biodiversity Targets with the stakeholders, they were very interactive and eager to learn more about this new approach. Each target was discussed thoroughly according to the allocated time in each workshop, and more information and explanations were given in the additional materials (the maps, reports, forms …) that were distributed to the stakeholders. The role of the National and International Experts in the workshops was very vital and important in simplifying and explaining various issues that were discussed during the workshops. Their intervention was important because the discussed issues were new to some of the stakeholders (in various levels), like discussing the Ecosystems Services and the Ecoregions.. Sometime, enthusiastic questions were directed from the experts to the stakeholders in order to stimulate for a better brainstorm about specific points.

Plate 5: An example that was showed to the stakeholders that holds the “Habitat Loss” message. The information that was generated from the various brainstorms/workshops/discussions were:

27

a) biodiversity threats and where these are located/conducted; b) best practices to address biodiversity threats; c) proposed actions to address the threats; d) administrative level of action implementation (national, regional, local); e) period of implementation (short, medium, long); f) responsible entity/ies; and g) Aichi Target addressed. Aichi Biodiversity Targets were detailed and presented in a simplified way in order to bring detailed picture to those stakeholders who are from different backgrounds. These targets, in addition to other related issues, were analyzed by using the pressure-state-response framework. The stakeholders, especially the relevant ones, were very active in discussing and going through the details of the addressed issues. They brought a lot of example of threats that most of them experience either during their direct work, or got aware of from different channels. According to the stakeholders‟ feedback, the different threats to biodiversity in Iraq are: 



  

Habitat loss caused by different activities: o Agricultural expansion o Drying the wetlands o Unplanned urbanization o Desertification o Climate change o Roads constructions Pollution, from different resources: o Air pollution by the smoke o Solid pollution by the trash and unplanned dumping-sites o Liquid pollutants either in the water or in the soils o Oil production Reducing of the wild populations of the animals and birds mainly by illegal hunting and fishing Natural systems modification Disturbing the natural processes (like the breeding of the birds and animals).

All of the materials (forms, tables, pictures, reports …) were shared with the stakeholders either right after the workshops (on CDs), or via their e-mail addresses in order to sustain the information and the relationships either among the different stakeholders, or between them and the coordinating body – the MoE.

1.2 Mainstreaming The following list represents the Ministries relevant for the biodiversity issues in Iraq, of which each of these ministries has their own strategy and planning at the national level. Mainstreaming and synergies in integrating the biodiversity principles and strategy would not be an easy task. A lot of coordination effort needs to be done, in order to ensure better implementation of the NBSAP in each of the strategies of these Ministries. 1. Ministry of Environment; 2. Ministry of Water resources; 3. Ministry of Agriculture; 4. Ministry of oil; 5. Iraqi Universities 6. National environmental research centers;

28

7. Ministry of Higher Education; 8. Ministry of Science and Technology; 9. Center for Restoration of the Iraqi Marshlands and Wetlands; 10. Marine Science Centre 11. Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) 12. The research center of Arabian desert; 13. Arab Gulf Studies Center; 14. Ministry of Communication; 15. Ministry of Transportation; 16. Ministry of industry and minerals; 17. Iraqi ports; 18. Regional institutions in Kurdistan Region (EPIB, Ministry of Natural resources, etc.); 19. The Natural history museum; 20. Global Governmental Organization (UNEP, UNDP, FAO, etc); 21. Related NGOs; 22. Global and regional environmental research centers. However, the Ministry of the Environment, the leader of the implementation of the NBSAP in Iraq has already done some steps to ensure better mainstreaming of the NBSAP in the different aspects across the country. The MoE has started mainstreaming the NBSAP in their different actions and current projects, and this was actually started from the different events that the MoE holds. Also, there was some sort of integration between the NBSAP and the NESAP (the National Strategy of the Environment and Action Plan for Iraq). It is also present in the different conventions and MEAs like the CITES, CMS, Cartagena Protocol that the MoE committed to. It is also already in the MoE‟s work on the protected areas on the national level. There were also some other related events that are very related to the NBSAP which are, the establishment of the first CHM, the inscription of the nomination file for the world heritage sites, the activities of the first scientific conference of environment, and the activities that were organized by MOE that are related to the year of Environment in Iraq.

2 CONCLUSION So far, the NBSAP, with its successful process in Iraq, can be considered as a good initiation that gathered different institutions at one table towards reaching a national goal. Moreover, the success that was obtained during the national and local workshops reflects the potentials and the enthusiasm of the stakeholders to bring more efforts towards doing something good for their country, and this was clearly present during their keen participation in these workshops. Two approaches were used in the process of developing of the NBSAP with the stakeholders: the first was the Ecoregions of Iraq (including the ecosystems services) approach; and the second was the Aichi Targets of which the stakeholders have learnt new experience from. The role of the facilitators (the international and the national experts) was useful in simplifying these new issues for those stakeholders that have little background about these subjects. Therefore, using of these two approached was successful experience in Iraq and wider variety of stakeholders were identified as well. Those stakeholders of different backgrounds were involved in the different phases during the process of developing the NBSAP. The involvement of the stakeholder in the different stages of NBSAP has let to provide the those stakeholders with new experience that they were sharing (according to the feedback from some of them) with their colleagues in the work that matter that contributed to disseminate the principles of the NBSAP wider Iraq. The stakeholders‟ involvement also has led to come up with mosaic feedback and contribution during the development of the NBSAP

29

during the different workshops, the matter that enriched the substance for developing the NBSAP itself. Being the first gathering that gathers the stakeholders from different institutions/ministries, the contribution of the stakeholders in the workshops was good but pioneer opportunity for them to discuss the biodiversity issues on the national level under the umbrella of what they‟ve got of the new experience as regards the Ecoregions (including the ecosystems services and Aichi targets). This privilege provided them with good experience and very good opportunity to get together and learning from each-other and get an access to the information from different sources, at the same time, this has led to come up with the best results that the workshops (on the national and local levels) can provide ever, this matter has contributed in shaping up a „new community‟ with new experience on the national and local levels who understand the principles of the Biodiversity and NBSAP, and can continue to work on the NBSAP during the implementation stages. The set of the recommendation below were abstracted from the NBSAP stocktaking and assessment report, and they represent the outcome of the process that covered the issue of strengths and opportunities concerning the policy sector were identified. And these recommendations should form the basis for improving the biodiversity policy framework in Iraq (Ministry of Environment, 2014).     

       

Laws that are currently in force on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation provide an opportunity for further development and implementation of environmental provisions Iraq is an active member in bilateral and multilateral environmental conventions and agreements Customs and border police and airports can be involved in biodiversity conservation issues through control of trade and violations concerning natural resources Environmental police can be specifically trained to nature conservation purposes Iraq is trying to move (though slowly) towards changes in the policy and legal framework for natural resources, including protected areas, access to genetic resources, land tenure, property rights, benefit and cost sharing, trade and environmental impact assessment Iraq is strengthening research, assessment, and monitoring of biodiversity and maintenance of endangered species. Actions should include cataloguing, coordination and ongoing assessment and monitoring of conservation efforts Integrate sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectoral or crosssectoral plans, programs and policies Adopt the precautionary principle in determining the use of resources which status is uncertain or unknown Modify the penal code and the sanction mechanism, to include violations and damages to the natural resources Strengthen the implementation and enforcement of laws Strongly focus on education including environmental education at all levels. Long term media campaigns to inform the wider community about Iraqi environmental laws and regulations relevant to biodiversity, protection of ecosystems and natural resources. Strategies to include environmental systems south of the marshes in all central government plans due to the importance of these unique and diverse ecosystems including their economical and commercial values.

30

Figure 10: some of NBSAP stakeholders during one of the workshops held in Iraq

31

REFERENCES Iraq Ministry of Environment (IMoE) (2010). National Report on Biodiversity in Iraq. Fourth national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), July 2010. Iraq Ministry of Environment (IMoE) (2012). Program of Work for Protected Areas (PoWPA). January 2014. Iraq Ministry of Environment & Nature Iraq (2014). Inventory of Key Biodiversity Areas of Iraq. Baghdad, Iraq: Iraqi Ministry of Environment & Nature Iraq. In preparation. Iraq Ministry of Environment (2014b) A. NBSAP Stocktaking and Assessment Report. December 2013. Published in the Republic of Iraq By Ministry of Environment, Baghdad. Salim, M.A, R Porter & C Rubec. (2009). A summary of birds recorded in the marshes of southern Iraq, 2005–2008. BioRisk 3: 205–219. Salim M.A., Al-Sheikhly O.F., Majeed K.A. & Porter R.F. (2012). An annotated checklist checklist of the birds of Iraq. Sandgrouse 34: 4-43. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). (2014). Ecoregions. Retrieved from worldwildlife.org/biome categories/terrestrial-ecoregions on 22 January 2014. Guest, E. (1968). Flora of Iraq.Vol. 1 (The introduction). Baghdad: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Iraq.

Web Resources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq http://aannaim.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/iraq.htm "Iraq." Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations. 2007. Retrieved September 06, 2014 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2586700202.html

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Annex 1: the full list of the stakeholders of the NBSAP in Iraq along with their roles in the strategy. Stakeholder

Related agency

Role in the strategy

Ministries

1.

2.

3. 4.

5.

Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works

Ministry of Health

Ministry of Industry Ministry of Defense Ministry of Labour and social affair

Ministry of higher education and scientific research

6.

  

General directorate of planning and follow-up. General directorate of urban planning. General directorate of municipalities - Department of the environment.

  

Technical matter directorate. Department of public health. Legal, financial and administrative department.

 Department of industrial development and Regulation - Department of environment.  Legal department.  Directorate of military engineering.  Directorate of planning.  Department of planning and follow-up.  Department of social welfare.  Department of labor and vocational training.  Legal department.  Department of studies, planning and follow-up.  Department of research and development.  Department of scientific affairs.  Department of pilot projects managementDivision of the development projects.  Department of marketing and cooperation.  Department of documentation and information management – Division of research and service. 

Research institution and Universities : 1- Baghdad university / Collage of education of pure science. 2- Baghdad university / Collage of agriculture. 3- Baghdad university / Collage of engineering – The consultant office of Environment projects and researches. 4- Baghdad university / Collage of science / Biotechnology department. 5- Baghdad university / Genetic engineering and biotechnology institute. 6- Baghdad university / Collage of science / Biology department. 7- Baghdad university / Collage of biology for girls – Biology department. 8- Baghdad university / The Center of urban and regional planning.

Consulting

Informing and Consulting

Informing and Engagement Informing and Engagement Informing

Engagement and consulting

33

9- Baghdad university / Department of Fish and Marine Resources 10- Al- Mosel university / Collage of environment sciences and their technologies 11- Al- Mosel university / The center of environmental research and Pollution control. 12- Al- Mosel university / Collage of forest and agriculture / forest Department. 13- Al- Mostansria University / Al- Mostansria Center for Arabic and International studies. 14- Technological university / The environmental research center / The center of technological and renewable energy. 15- Babel university / The center of local environmental research. 16- Dhi Qar university / The center of Marshland researches. 17- Al- Nahrain university / biotechnology department. 18- Al- Mostansria university / biotechnology department. 19- Al - Basrah university/ Collage of agriculture : 20- Department of horticulture and palm / biology department. 21- Marine science center. 22- Center of research and natural history museum. 23- The unit of the medicinal plants research. 24- Department of agricultural economy. 25- Al- Sulaymaniyah university / Collage of agriculture. 7.

8. 9.

Ministry of Human Right The State Ministry for Women's Affairs Ministry of Justice

10.

Ministry of Oil

11.

 

National center for human rights Legal directorate

Informing



The state ministry for women's affairs

Informing

      

Department Of justice planning. Council of state. Judicial relation department. Iraqi realities department. Implementation department. Legal Department. Department of studies, planning and followup:  Department of Environment : - Division of water pollution control. - Division of air pollution control. - Division of soil pollution control. - Division of environmental planning. and radiometric survey.  Department of Planning.  Department of International cooperation, organizations and conferences.

Consulting

Collaboration and Engagement

34

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

12.

Ministry of Agriculture

       

Department of Environment. Department of Human right. Department of Conventions. Department of economic. Department of sustainable development. Department of Neighboring countries. Legal department. Department of Political planning.

   

General company for livestock services. General company for horticulture and forestry. General company for industrial crops. General authority for fish resources development. General authority for examining and certification of seeds. General authority for palms. General authority for plant protection. Legal department. Department of Planning and follow- up.

    

13.

Ministry of Water Resources

     

Marshes revival centre. General authority for maintenance of irrigation and drainage projects. Legal departments and contracts. National centre for water resources management. Department of environmental studies. Department of strategic studies.

Consulting



14.

Ministry of science and technology

   

15.

Ministry of Culture





Department of regional and local development/ department of sustainable development. Department of planning sectors.



Department of cultural relations.

Informing



Heath and environment committee

Consulting

Ministry of Planning

16.

Department of material research / oil and petrochemicals research. Department of environment and water/ environmental researches. Department of Agricultural research.

Other Institutions 17.

Iraqi Parliament

35



18.

19.

Informing


Provincial Councils



Kurdistan Regional Government



Authority of protection and improvement of the environment.

 

World health organization (WHO). Food and agriculture organization of the united nations (FAO). Global environmental facility (GEF). United nations educational, scientific and cultural organization(UNESCO). Foundation of united for relief and sustainable development (F.U.A.D).

20.

Intergovernmental Organizations

  

21.

Media and Communications Agencies

       

22.

The Scientific Community





   

23.

Health and environment committee / Baghdad provincial council and the rest of the provinces. Municipal councils in Baghdad and other provinces.

  

Iraqi media network. Al-Iraqia satellite channel/ www.iraqimedianet.net Radio station /www.iraqhurr.org. Azzaman daily newspaper /www.azzaman.com. National Iraqi news agency /www.ninanews.com. International medial channel CNN /www.arabic.cnn.com. Al-Sabah newspaper /www.alsabah.iq. Development of health and environmental awareness association. Iraqi association for technologies and alternative energy sources and emerging / [email protected]. Iraqi association for genetic resources and environmental maintenance / [email protected]. Iraqi medical plants science association / [email protected]. Iraqi association of date palm. Iraqi association for plant protection. Natural history museum. Nature Iraq organization. The Iraqi Organization for the Conservation of Nature - IOCN Iraqi association of hunting and Environment protection.

Consulting

Informing

Consulting

Engagement

36

Nongovernmental organization (NGOs)

24.

Tourist companies

25.

Private companies and multinational

26.

Agencies and Financial mechanisms

27.

The private sector

  

Aden association of Marshes development. Iraqi Environment Protection association. Association of population protection from environmental pollution.  Social and Environment organization.  Iraq council for fishing support.  Together association of human and environment protection.  Iraqi palm farmers association.  Association of enthusiast and professionals of Iraqi fishing.  Roaaya center for research and strategic studies.  Iraqi care and Humane Society.  Iraq Al-Rafidain Company for travel and tourism (an example of the Iraq tourist companies).      

Iraqi company for manufacturing and marketing of dates. Samarra Pharmaceutical Co. Oil company SOMO (civil -Government). General Company for Grain Processing. Global Environment Facility (GEF), civil society organizations )NGOs(. Internet services companies and telecommunications companies such as Zain, Asia, Earth Link

Informing

Informing and Engagement

Consulting and Engagement Informing and Engagement

Individuals 28.

The general public

Informing

29.

Celebrities

Informing

30.

Citizens of urban centers

31.

International experts

32.

33.

34.

Informing  

World Bank experts. Intergovernmental experts (UNEP + UNDP).

Indigenous and local communities

  

Local marshes population. People of Western desert. farmers stationed on the river banks.

Informing and Engagement

Religion leaders



Heads of Shiite, Sunni and Christian Endowments.

Informing

Professors, teachers and the teaching staff



Professors, lecturers in colleges of science and agriculture and environmental sciences. Teachers of biological departments in



Consulting

Engagement

37

universities, institutes and Iraqi research centers. 35.

Professional hunters



Engagement

Iraqi fishermen Association

Annex 2.1 Old Environmental Legislation of Iraq Title of Act

Serial of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office

The first amendment of the Iraqi Environmental protection and improvement law No. 3/1997

(73) for the year 2001

Law

valid

Iraq - federal


Directives

valid

Iraq - federal

without sereal in year 1959

Directives

valid

Iraq - federal

Without sereal in year 1946

Directives

valid

Iraq - federal


Statement

valid

Iraq - federal

Statement No. (1) for the year 1955 to preventing cutting of forests


Statement

valid

Iraq - federal

Pastures Protection Act

.(106) for the year 1965

Law

valid

Iraq - federal


1983

Valid

Iraq-fedral


Resolution of the Revolutionary Command Council

valid

Iraq - federal

Directives of the General Directorate of Forests and Afforestation

Directives for trees cutting and transfer

Directives on forest conservation

Statement on the conservation of forests

Natural Pastures Act

Nominating the Supreme Council for the protection and improvement of the environment

38

Title of Act Adition of a representative as a member to the board of protection and improvement of the environment

Decree to serve and protect the animal and agricultural resources

A Decree of the Council for the protection and improvent of the environment on Logging

Incentives and wages for the employees of the council for the protection and improvent of the environment in the provinces

Structural formations of the council for the protection and improvent of the environment

Forest System The Second Amendment to the Directive for the formation of the provincial councils to protect and improve the environment

The formation of the provincial councils to protect and improve the environment

Serial of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office


Resolution of the Revolutionary Command Council

valid

Iraq - federal


Decision

valid

Iraq - federal


Decision

valid

Iraq - federal


System

valid

Iraq - federal


System

valid

Iraq - federal


System

valid

Iraq - federal

valid

Iraq - federal

valid

Iraq - federal



Directives

Directives

39

Title of Act Duties of the Departments of protection and improvement of the environment in the provinces and annexes

Regulation of the trading in medicinal herbs

Directives issued by the Ministry of Irrigation on the cultivation of trees within the boundaries of the Mayoralty of Baghdad

Environmental standards for services, industrial and agricultural projects

Manufacturing and trading of pesticides Prohibition of Fishing

Irrigation Act

Penal Code

Implementation law Environmental rules for industrial and agricultural projects

Serial of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office


Directives

valid

Iraq - federal


Directives

valid

Iraq - federal


Directives

valid

Iraq - federal

1990

Directives

Valid

Iraq - federal


Directives

valid

Iraq - federal

No. (70) for year 2013

Declaration

valid

Iraq - a federal


Act

valid

Iraq - a federal

valid

Iraq - a federal

valid

Iraq - a federal

valid

Iraq - a federal

No. (111) for the year 1969 No. (45) for the year 1980


Act Act

Directive

40

Annex 2.2 Veterinary and livestock/fishery legislation Title of Act

Sereal of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office

Law of Wild Animals Protection

17

15/02/2010

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Amendment Act of Rotting Animal Diseases number (68) for the year 1936

61

1985

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Sixth Amendment to the Institute of Animal Health Number 7 for the year1968 (canceled)

17

26/06/1980

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Law of Birds and Wild Animals Protection number (21) for the year 1979

21

28/02/1979

legislation

Iraq - a federal

The first amendment law to the rotting animal diseases law Number 68 for the year 1936

78

18/06/1972

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Amending Law for the Institute of Animal Health Law No. 22 of 1968 (canceled)

221

17/12/1969

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Institute of Animal Health Law No. (22) for the year 1968 (canceled)

22

21/02/1968

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Pregnant ewes Conservation Law No. (5) for the year 1946 (canceled)

5

30/01/1946

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Sex animals Reform Law No. 58 of 1940 (canceled)

58

01/05/1940

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Pregnant ewes Conservation Law No. (22) for the year 1937 (canceled)

22

03/06/1937

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Amendment Law of the animal diseases law for the year 1927 (canceled)

8

19/01/1927

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Fish Conservation Law of 1924

No serial

21/05/1924

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Iraq - a federal

Iraq - a federal

Amendment of the Revolutionary Command Council resolution 1987/500 horses Organization

255

22/12/1999

Abolished Revolution Command Council

Abolition of the General Authority for Fish Resources

814

1990

Abolished Revolution

41

Title of Act

Sereal of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office

Development

Command Council

Allowing the establishment of poultry farms on the banks of rivers or near

844

1988

Abolished Revolution Command Council

Iraq - a federal

The First Amendment Law to the regulating fishing and the exploitation and protection of aquatic law No. (48) for the year 1971

10

31/01/1981

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Regulating Law of the fishing and the exploitation and protection of aquatic organisms (Revised)

48

10/04/1976

legislation

Iraq - a federal

First Amendment law for hunting law No. (57) for the year 1938

4

15/07/1948

legislation

Iraq - a federal

The First Amendment law to the fishing law No.57 for the year 1938

19

02/07/1939

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Hunting Law No. (57) for the year 1938 (Revised)

57

03/05/1938

legislation

Iraq - a federal

Extension of the period during which fishing prohibited in a statement published in the official gazette and the media

30

20/2/2000

RCC2 decision

a federal-Iraq

A decree to ban deer hunting 463 in all parts of Iraq

22/7/1989

RCC decision

a federal-Iraq

The application of the provisions of Law Number 20 of 1970 on the fishermen who use toxins

1578

11/10/1980

RCC decision

a federal-Iraq

1277

26/9/1978

RCC decision

a federal-Iraq

Regulation of hunting wild animals and its protection

47

9/11/1965

System

a federal-Iraq

First Amendment of the regulation of fishing Number

77

14/10/1939

System

a federal-Iraq

Strictly prohibiting the hunting of wild animals Number 1277

2

RCC: Revolution Command Council

42

Sereal of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office

Second Amendment to the regulation of fishing number 40 of 1938

3

1958

System

a federal-Iraq

Regulation to prohibiting hunting of certain birds at certain times

40

24/9/1938

System

a federal-Iraq

Issued by the Public Establishment for Fish

7

1987

Directive

a federal-Iraq

Limiting the hunting of wild animals and birds to the members of the Iraqi Fishermen's Association

No

2002

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Prohibition of fishing in some 35 areas

1988

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Prohibiting fishing in the internal waters

33

1988

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Prohibiting fishing in some areas of Lake Tharthar

36

1988

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Prohibiting fishing in a number of areas

37

1988

Statement

a federal-Iraq

On the strict prohibition of fishing in a number of areas during all seasons of the year

32

1987

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Statement issued by the Fishermen Association of Iraq

No

1987

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A Statement prohibiting fishing in areas and times at specified periods

29

1986

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement Issued by the general Establishment for fishing on fishing in reservoirs

28

1985

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement strictly prohibiting fishing for specific areas and periods

22

1983

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Prohibiting fishing for specific areas and periods

23

1983

Statement

a federal-Iraq


20

1982

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Title of Act 40 of 1938

43

Title of Act

Sereal of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office


21

1982

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Prohibiting fishing for specified places in the statement

19

1981

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Prohibiting fishing in the Hemrin Dam Reservoir

17

1980

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Statement number ( 10) prohibiting the use of special nets to catch fish

10

1978

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Statement number ( 1) ( prohibiting fishing

11

1978

Statement

Statement number ( 9) for the year 1978 Cancelling statement Number 8 for the year 1977 about Prohibiting Fishing

9

1978

Statement

Statement number 1 for the year 1977 about specification of nets for fishing in Rivers

1

1977

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Statement Number 8 for the year 1977 strictly prohibiting fishing in Hor Al-Jazeera areas

8

1977

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Strictly prohibiting Fishing in the area near to Diyala River estuary

7

1977

Statement

a federal-Iraq

1977

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Statement number (14519) for the year 1976 about specifying prohibited areas for fishing

14519

a federal-Iraq

a federal-Iraq

Statement number 1 for the year 1975 Declaring an area as strictly and totally prohibited for fishing

1

1975

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement about protection of fish and prohibiting fishing according to the provisions of Law Number 32 for the year 1965

1

1967

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Prohibiting the hunting of wild animals is strictly

2

1967

Statement

a federal-Iraq

44

Sereal of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office

Statement No. 4 of 1967 on fishing

4

1967

Statement

a federal-Iraq

According to a statement issued fishing law and protect aquatic No. 32 of 1965 should be getting a vacation for trafficking in aquatic

9

1965

Statement

a federal-Iraq

According to a statement issued fishing law and protect aquatic No. 32 of 1965 on how to use the stream water for fishing and measuring network

5

1965

Statement

a federal-Iraq

According to a statement issued fishing law and protect aquatic No. 32 of 1965 to prevent the use of chemicals

4

1965

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Statement on the renewal of licenses according to the law of fishermen fish catch and protect aquatic No. 32 of 1965

11

1965

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement issued According to the Law of fishing and protection of aquatic organisms number 32 of the year 1965 to prevent the use of nets

7

1965

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement issued According to the Law of fishing and protection of aquatic organisms number 32 of the year 1965 to prevent fishing in prohibited areas

6

1965

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement issued According to the Law of fishing and protection of aquatic organisms number 32 of the year 1965 to prevent fishing of fish

7

1965

Title of Act forbidden Number 1277

Statement

a federal-Iraq

45

Sereal of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office

10

1965

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A Statement preventing Deer 2 Hunting

1964

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement from the director of research and agricultural projects on the renewal of Fishing licenses and trading

Not present

1964

Statement to prevent Gazelle hunting

1

1963

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Statement by the Minister of Agriculture for fishing

1

1962

Statement

a federal-Iraq

Statement by the Minister of Agriculture for fishing

2

1962

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement concerning fishing licenses

5

1962

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement concerning fishing licenses

6

1962

Statement

a federal-Iraq

A statement to the Fishermen

7

1962

statement

Iraq - Federal

A statement of the Ministry of Agriculture under the law of hunting aquatic animals

7

1961

statement

Iraq - Federal

Statement No.1 for the year 1957 Fishing prohibition

1

1957

statement

Iraq - Federal

Hunting Prohibition

2

1957

statement

Iraq - Federal

Fishing Prohibition

without serial

1/3/1956

statement

Iraq - Federal

A statement to prohibit all means of fishing

without serial

1956

statement

Iraq - Federal

Statement on Fishing prohibition

10

1955

statement

Iraq - Federal

Regulation for the rent of the beaches and islands and public lands, which grow

No. 33-1961

regulation

Valid

Iraq - Federal

Title of Act species A statement issued According to the Law of fishing and protection of aquatic organisms number 32 of the year 1965 to organize the fishing nets industry

Statement

a federal-Iraq

46

Title of Act

Sereal of Act

Type of Act

Status of the Act

Issuing Office

Pure pasture and liquorice

Annex 2.3 Existing strategies and project and main international agreements concerning biodiversity Strategies and projects Strategy/project National strategy for the protection of the environment and the executive action plan for the years ( 2013 – 2017) UNEP Iraqi Marshlands observation system (IMOS) Management plan of Dalmaj of hydroponics operations Oil resource management plan Hawizeh Management plan ( Ramsar site ) Management plan for Mesopotamia marshland national park National strategy for the development of Statistics in Iraq (2011 – 2015)

Ministry/Agency Ministry of Environment Ministry of environment. Decision No. (89) for the year of 2013 Ministry of Oil Ministry of Water Resources (CRIM) Ministry of Planning / Central Bureau of Statistics

National strategy for poverty alleviation

Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation / High Commission for poverty alleviation policies

National strategy of learning and higher education of Iraq. The higher advisory commission for the preparation of learning and higher education strategy

Ministry of higher education/ Ministry of Planning

National strategy of complementary energy of Iraq.

advisory board of the Council of the Prime Minister. Decision No. (157) for the year 2013.

Annex 2.4 MEAs to which Iraq is a Party International Agreements International Related sectors convention CBD Environment, agriculture, fishery, forestry, trade, tourism, Environment, Trade, Agriculture, Rural Development Forests, Fisheries Interior, CITES Financial CMS Environment ,Agriculture , Rural Development Forests ,Fisheries ,Trade , Tourism Environment , Water management , Agriculture , Rural Development , Fisheries , Ramsar Tourism World Heritage Environment , Rural Development, Education , Tourism Convention UNFCCC Environment , Agriculture , Health, Rural Development, Forests, Fisheries UNCCD Environment , Agriculture , Health, Rural Development, Forests

47