PANEL ONE: BUILDING A CLIMATE-RESILIENT IRAQ: HEALTH, WATER, AND FOOD SECURITY - This panel explored Iraq’s vulnerability to climate change and the urgent need to address its health-related challenges, exploring strategies to mitigate and combat the impacts of rising temperatures, water scarcity, and extreme weather events that threaten the country‘s economic output, electricity supply, food security, and result in climate refugees and the destruction of natural and cultural heritage.

BALANCING GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT AND DOMESTIC GROWTH: IRAQ’S FUTURE IN AN EVOLVING LANDSCAPE - On October 26, 2023, the Atlantic Council organized its Iraq Initiative Conference. The conference convened a community of leading experts and policymakers, comprised of Americans and Iraqis, and including senior-level, former, and current officials, and scholars. This year, the conference focused on two pertinent themes: Iraq’s rising role in the international arena and the dire impact of climate change on the country. The conference presented a series of dynamic panel discussions each exploring the ways in which Iraq, the United States, and the international community can positively engage Iraq as it faces unique sociopolitical, economic, security, and environmental shifts.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 10/26/23