Iraq’s northern city of Mosul will on Monday host the country's first international forum on climate change, future challenges and solutions, bringing together local and international experts.
“It will discuss the climate change in Iraq as a whole with a focus on finding solutions through collaboration between local and international entities,” Omar Mohammed, the founder of Mosul Eye, a leading non-government group that organised the forum, told The National.
“It is an opportunity to explore the green economy, innovation and more creative and sustainable solutions."
Mr Mohammed's home town Mosul will be “at the centre of this as a city with challenges but also unexplored resources, especially water", he said.
Mosul is still recovering from the three-year reign of ISIS and the war to claw back the city from the militants. It and surrounding areas are facing a wide range of challenges, from post-war reconstruction to climate change threats.
After ISIS overran the city in 2014, Mosul Eye became known internationally as a defiant, anonymous online site, providing a glimpse of life inside the city under the militants’ occupation.
Last year, Mr Mohammed launched the Green Mosul initiative to plant trees in different areas in and around Mosul, including a forest inside the city. More than 9,000 trees have been planted.
“This also marks a new beginning, as the people of Mosul have planted the seeds of a green future for the city,” the NGO said.
“The initiative played an instrumental part in promoting urban greening as a means towards post-war stabilisation and raising awareness about climate change."
The one-day event, called the Climate Change International Forum, will take place at the Grand Theatre of Mosul University.
Local authorities, community leaders, activists, students and professors, as well as diplomats, international NGOs and experts, will attend the forum.
The participants will reflect on what has been achieved so far and discuss concrete solutions to current and coming climate-related challenges.
Iraq’s Ministry of Environment says the war-ravaged country is the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to the effects of climate change.
It faces a wide range of challenges made worse by water insecurity, mismanagement and man-made problems such as the illegal clearing of agricultural areas to build houses.
More frequent and intense droughts, sandstorms, heatwaves and rising sea levels are wreaking havoc on people's livelihoods and communities.
As climate change worsens, dangerous weather events are posing threats to the country’s social coherence, worsening disputes over land and water, and further weakening Iraq's fragile economy.
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Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
FORSPOKEN
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The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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New Zealand 153 and 56 for 1 in 22.4 overs at close
Pakistan 227
(Babar 62, Asad 43, Boult 4-54, De Grandhomme 2-30, Patel 2-64)
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- Travel distance: Limited
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- Duration: Can linger for days
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Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
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FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
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Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
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Based: Dubai
Employees: 40
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