ESCAP, ESCWA to drive United Nations efforts on sand and dust storms

TEHRAN — At the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) of ESCAP and the Arab Centre for Climate Change Policies (ACCCP) of ESCWA took over the co-chairship of the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

Qatar ready to cooperate with Iran to address SDSs

TEHRAN – Qatar’s newly appointed ambassador in Tehran Saad bin Abdullah Al-Mohammad Al-Sharif has announced that his country is completely prepared to collaborate with Iran in the fight against sand and dust storms (SDSs).

Some 2.5m hectares of SDS hotspots stabilized in 6 years

TEHRAN –According to the secretary of the national policymaking headquarters for dealing with sand and dust storms, 2.5 million hectares of sand dust storm hotspots in the country have been stabilized over the past six years.

Iran prioritizes co-op with Iraq to mitigate SDSs   

TEHRAN –As sand and dust storms (SDSs) hotspots in Iraq severely affect western and southwestern regions, the administration underscores cooperating with Baghdad to address the problem.

UN official: Tehran conference will contribute to addressing sand and dust storms

TEHRAN –Stefan Priesner, the UN Resident Coordinator for Iran, has said that the international conference on combating sand and dust storms which was held in September last year in Tehran will contribute to adopting measures to deal with the global predicament.

Iran to mark intl. day of combatting SDSs

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment will play host to an event on July 12 to mark the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms aiming to raise awareness and enhance resilience against SDSs as a global concern.

By Maryam Tavassoli

Promoting intl. cooperation to combat SDSs

TEHRAN –The efforts of the administration of the late President Ebrahim Raisi to address the predicament of sand and dust storms (SDSs), as one of the factors contributing to drought and desertification, led to the evolution of national discourse into regional, and subsequently international discourse, according to the head of Department of Environment (DOE).

By Maryam Tavassoli

Striving for global consensus on addressing SDSs

TEHRAN –World Environment Day, held annually on June 5, is the largest global event for raising awareness and taking action to protect the planet Earth.

DOE enumerates measures to combat sand and dust storms   

TEHRAN – An official with the Department of Environment has elaborated on measures to deal with sand and dust storms in the past Iranian calendar year that ended on March 19.

UNEA-6 approves Iran’s proposed plan for combating SDSs

TEHRAN – The 6th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) has approved a resolution adopted at the international summit on dealing with sand and dust storms which was held in Tehran in September 2023.

DOE to combat SDSs in Sarakhs bordering Turkmenistan

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment is taking measures with the aim of dealing with sand and dust storms in Sarakhs County, near the border with Turkmenistan.

Academic report suggests main sources of SDS from Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia

TEHRAN – A report published by four Iranian researchers suggests that the main sources of sand and dust storms affecting Iran are emerging from Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.

Creating a fund necessary to tackle SDSs: UN envoy

TEHRAN- Stefan Priesner, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Iran, has said creating a fund is a necessity to address the issue of sand and dust storms.

Iran ready to cooperate with other countries on tackling SDSs

TEHRAN – An official at the Department of Environment has said the country is prepared to cooperate with other countries in dealing with sand and dust storms.

Iran, Turkmenistan highlight cooperation to mitigate SDS impacts

TEHRAN- Tehran and Ashgabat have emphasized the need to cooperate on tackling sand and dust storms (SDS) originating from the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan.

Tehran, Baghdad join hands to combat sand and dust storms

TEHRAN – Iran and Iraq signed an agreement to implement joint pilot plans to deal with sand and dust storms in four provinces of Iraq and two provinces of Iran.

Iranian delegation visits Iraq on dealing with SDS

TEHRAN – A delegation led by the secretary of the national policymaking headquarters for dealing with sand and dust storms has traveled to Iraq to follow up on previous agreements in this regard.

Low rainfall creates sources of SDS in north, east: official

TEHRAN - In recent years, low precipitation in the northern and eastern parts of the country has gradually turned pastures into centers of sand and dust storms, Sadeq Ziaeian, an official with Iran Meteorological Organization, has said.

Environmental issues hold unique promise for fostering negotiation in Persian Gulf: analysis

‘Iranian climate scientists are global leaders’

TEHRAN – Iran will host a conference on sand and dust storms in collaboration with the United Nations in September 2023, and it is expecting representatives from over 50 countries.

Drought turns some lakes into SDS hotspots

TEHRAN - A few decades ago, there were about 130 lakes and wetlands in Iran, but now, unfortunately, some of the lakes have turned into hotspots of sand and dust storms.

UNDP supports Iran’s plan to deal with SDSs

TEHRAN - Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, has said the United Nations supports Iran’s plan to deal with sand and dust storms.

July 12 named International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms

TEHRAN – The United National General Assembly on Thursday proclaimed July 12 International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDSs), aiming to raise awareness about the importance of health, and sustainability.

Department of Environment sets up SDS intl. conference secretariat

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment has set up a secretariat for the international conference on combating sand and dust storms which is scheduled to be held in Tehran on September 9-10.

Department of Environment, Foreign Ministry meet on SDS conference

TEHRAN - Department of Environment chief Ali Salajeqeh met with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday, discussing ways to cooperate on holding an international conference that is due to be held in September on sand and dust storms.

Department of Environment to hold five intl. meetings

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment will hold five international meetings in the current Iranian calendar year that started on March 21, DOE chief Ali Salajeqeh said on Wednesday.

SDSs from Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia may enter Iran

TEHRAN - Ahad Vazifeh, head of the national center for drought and crisis management, has said new sources of sand and dust storms, originating from Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia may enter Iran.

Intl. conference on combating sand and dust storms to be held in Iran

TEHRAN – An international conference on combating sand and dust storms will be held in Iran, Department of Environment chief Ali Salajeqeh has said.