As part of the collaboration between the Environmental Research Center and the Department of Communications Engineering, the Sustainable Development Department at the center organized a seminar titled 'Sand and Dust Storms in Iraq-2023' in the Green Hall of the Communications Engineering Department on November 22, 2023. The seminar was presented by the Chief Engineer, Mr. Fadaa Turki, a specialist in Geomatics Engineering and an expert at the Ministry of Environment/Information Technology Center. The seminar covered vital aspects of sustainable development and adaptation to climate change.

The researcher addressed several important topics, focusing on the impact of sand and dust storms in Iraq in 2023. The topics covered included the effects of drought, the impact of pollutants on the environment, and the environmental degradation resulting from sand and dust storms. The speaker explained the environmental effects and climate change using satellite images, remote sensing, and geographic information systems for in-depth analysis.

In this context, Turki emphasized that the sources of these storms are not local to Iraq, but the country is directly affected by them. He supported his explanations with satellite images and utilized remote sensing and geographic information systems to highlight scientific facts and provide an intensive analysis of the environmental situation in Iraq.

This seminar marks an important step in transferring knowledge and raising awareness about the environmental challenges facing Iraq. It strengthens efforts to promote sustainable development and adapt to climate changes in the region."

Dr. Muwafaq Hussein Al Lami, academic staff member at the Environment Research Center/ University of Technology-Iraq, is nominated as a section editor in the Canadian Journal of Water Management Modeling, indexed within Scopus and Web of Science database. Nomination for this position was based on the long-term contribution of Dr. Muwafaq H. Al Lami in publishing process in range of high-profile academic journals. Dr. Muwafaq H. Al Lami has contributed for many years in academic publishing as author, reviewer, and proofreader in different national and international journals. Congratulations to Dr. Muwafaq H. Al Lami for this position and the new role as editor in JWWM.

Within the framework of promoting effective cooperation and achieving sustainable development goals, Dr. Abbas Jawad Kazem, Head of the Sustainable Development Department at the Environmental Research Center, met with the Head of the Sustainable Development Department at the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Munir Abbas Hussein. On December 11, 2023, these meetings were part of a series of activities aimed at activating joint mechanisms between the Center and the Ministry.

Mrs. Maysoon Sabr Ibrahim, the Director of the Ministry of Environment's Development Department, actively participated in the meeting. In order to accomplish the seventeen goals of sustainable development, creative techniques and improved collaboration were the topics of discussion at the session.

Dr. Abbas Jawad Kazem pointed out the importance of combining efforts and directing energies towards achieving sustainable development in society. Mr. Munir Abbas Hussein praised the Center’s efforts and stressed the importance of the existing partnership to achieve national goals in the fields of environment and sustainable development.

Important topics are the focus of the cooperation processes between the Ministry of Environment and the Center, such as contemporary environmental technology projects, raising awareness of the significance of sustainability, and protecting the natural environment.

Dr. Rana Riyad Khalil from the Environmental Research Center/University of Technology participated in the discussion of the master’s student “Fatima Khaled Daoud” from the University of Baghdad/College of Science for Girls” on 10/5/2023, specializing in the environment, with her thesis entitled “Investigation of pathogenic fecal bacteria in agricultural soils in Baghdad.” The thesis included a study of some chemical and physical characteristics of agricultural soils in some areas of the city of Baghdad in terms of their contamination with heavy elements (Fe and Cu) and the presence of pathogenic fecal bacteria, conducting evidence of contamination of the soil and comparing it with environmental determinants, as well as finding the relationship between the presence of pathogenic bacteria and the concentrations of the elements Fe and Cu.