DOE Tackles Climate Change and Sustainable Development at Lebanon and Azerbaijan Conferences
The Department of Environment (DOE) has recently taken significant steps to address sand and dust storms (SDS) and climate change. Participating in international conferences in Lebanon and Azerbaijan, the DOE showcased Iran’s initiatives and strategies aimed at combating these pressing environmental issues. Through engaging discussions and presentations, Iranian officials highlighted their commitment to sustainable practices and regional cooperation.
One of the noteworthy events was the Forum on Fostering Interregional Collaboration on SDSs, held from October 7 to 8 in Beirut, Lebanon. During this forum, Sediqeh Torabi, a prominent official from the DOE, delivered a compelling lecture titled ‘Integrated policy and community-based approaches to combat SDSs in Iran’. In her presentation, she elaborated on Iran’s comprehensive management strategies for SDSs, focusing on:
- Vegetation restoration efforts
- Community involvement and engagement
- Effective policy implementation
According to a report from Mehr news agency, on the sidelines of the forum, Torabi engaged in productive meetings with representatives from various international organizations, including:
- The United Nations (UN)
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
- The UN-Habitat
- The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
These discussions aimed to enhance scientific and technical cooperation among nations to tackle SDS more effectively. The United Nations Coalition on Combating SDSs was also a focal point of the discussions, co-chaired by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and ESCWA for the period 2025-2026. The meeting reviewed the work plans of the Coalition’s five working groups, which include:
- Adaptation and Mitigation (FAO)
- Forecasting and Early Warning (WMO)
- Health and Safety (WHO)
- Policy and Governance (UNCCD)
- Regional Cooperation and Mediation (ESCAP and ESCWA)
Moreover, the forum discussed plans for the United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms (2025-2034), highlighting upcoming collaborative events aimed at fostering global and regional partnerships.
Following the Lebanon forum, the D-8 High-level Climate and Urban Dialogue took place from October 13 to 17 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This significant dialogue was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and gathered D-8 Commissioners from member states, including:
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Malaysia
- Nigeria
- Turkey
- Pakistan
During this event, Torabi delivered a speech titled ‘Towards resilient and low-carbon cities: integrating climate action and sustainable urban development’. She shared valuable insights regarding Iran’s strategies for:
- Addressing air pollution
- Optimizing energy and water consumption
- Promoting urban resilience against climate hazards
In her address, Torabi referenced the national environmental policy document aimed at standardizing environmental requirements and integrating these into urban planning processes. This document is crucial for enhancing sustainable urban development across member states.
Additionally, Torabi held discussions with representatives from D-8 member countries and UN-Habitat. The focus of these conversations included:
- Smart energy management
- Monitoring greenhouse gas emissions
- Sharing green technologies and practices
The D-8 Week marked a significant milestone, featuring the first major high-level events since the organization’s establishment in 1997. This series of meetings included both the D-8 Commissioners’ Retreat Meeting and the High-Level Climate and Urban Dialogue, which were essential for aligning climate action with the D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030.
The primary objective of these meetings was to foster an open exchange of ideas and perspectives on critical organizational issues, while collectively exploring innovative approaches to strengthen the cooperation framework of the D-8 Organization. By enhancing collaboration among member states, the D-8 aims to promote sustainable development and improve institutional coordination.
As global environmental challenges continue to escalate, initiatives like those taken by the DOE and its international partners are vital for safeguarding our planet’s future. Through continued dialogue and cooperation, countries can develop effective strategies to combat sand and dust storms and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
