Iran, Iraq ink MOU to deal with dust storms

TEHRAN – A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Iran and Iraq with the aim of confronting the phenomenon of sand and dust storms (SDSs).

By M.A. Saki

Wait and see what regional meeting on dust storms will produce 

TEHRAN – Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE) hosted on Tuesday a conference of 11 regional countries to find solutions for major environmental problems, particularly sand and dust storms (SDSs).

Environment chiefs from neighboring states to meet on dust storms: Raisi

TEHRAN- President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran announced on Monday that chiefs of environment organizations from neighboring countries will meet to assess ways on how to counter sand and dust storms (SDSs), Tasnim reported.

Iran, UAE to enhance co-op in dealing with SDSs

TEHRAN – A memorandum of understanding (MOU) will be signed between Iran and the United Arab Emirates with the aim of regional convergence to deal with the phenomenon of sand and dust storms (SDSs).

Iran, Iraq vow to strengthen bilateral ties

TEHRAN- Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian and Iraqi Minister of Interior Othman Al-Ghanmi, who met in Tehran on Tuesday, called for improving bilateral relations.

Saudi Arabia is "main origin" of sand and dust storms: Iran DOE chief

TEHRAN- The country which is the main source of sand and dust storms in Iran is Saudi Arabia, Iranian Department of Environment Chief Ali Salajegheh has said.

APDIM says Iran at forefront of dealing with SDSs

TEHRAN - Letizia Rossano, the director of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), has said Iran is really at forefront of understanding the problem of sand and dust storms as well as dealing with it.

Iran, Syria sign MOU to combat SDSs

TEHRAN – Iran and Syria inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to curb sand and dust storms (SDSs), ISNA reported.

43% of wetlands to become dust-rising hotspots

TEHRAN – Some 43 percent of the country’s wetlands have the potential to become a source of sand and dust storms (SDSs), Sedigheh Moddares, an official with the Department of Environment (DOE) has stated.

Iran, Iraq seek effective, immediate ways to curb SDSs

TEHRAN – Iranian Department of Environment Chief Ali Salajegheh and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi discussed effective and immediate ways to control sand and dust storms (SDSs).

Intl. meeting on SDS control to be held in Tehran

TEHRAN – Tehran will host an international meeting on controlling sand and dust storms (SDSs) in July, with the presence of the ministers of 12 countries that give rise to the highest amount of dust, IRNA reported.

SDSs mitigation requires regional cooperation: expert

TEHRAN – Sand and Dust Storms (SDSs) have increased significantly in recent years as a result of climate change. So, a convention is needed to be set up in the region to come up with a solution, Abdolreza Faraji-Rad, a professor of geopolitics, has said.

Sources of SDS increase year by year

TEHRAN – Over the past two years, the precipitation rate has been on a downward trend, as a result, sources of sand and dust storms (SDSs) have increased compared to a year before, Ahad Vazifeh, head of the national center for drought and crisis management has said.

Turkey blamed for boom in dust storms into Iran

TEHRAN - Building several dams over the Aras border river and constructing walls on the zero point of the border by Turkey has led to a spread of sand and dust storms into western and southern parts of Iran, Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri has said.

Two forest parks to be created to help fight SDSs

TEHRAN – Two forest parks are to be built on the border of Iran and Iraq to counter sand and dust storms (SDSs), Masoud Mansour, head of the Forests, Rangelands, and Watershed Management Organization, has said.

Iran surrounded by 270m ha of SDS hotspots

TEHRAN – Some 8 large sand and dust storm (SDS) hotspots stretching to 270 million hectares in neighboring and Persian Gulf countries are affecting Iran, Ali Mohammad Tahmasebi, head of the national working group for mitigating SDSs, has said.

Intl. bodies cooperating with Iran to deal with SDS

TEHRAN – A regional action plan has been prepared on fighting sand and dust storms (SDS) in eight external sources, and is planned to be shared with international organizations, Ali Mohammad Tahmasebi, head of the national working group for SDSs mitigation, has stated.

UN ready to support Iran’s dealing with SDSs

TEHRAN – The United Nations (UN) is ready to support cooperation at regional and trans-regional levels with Iran to deal with the negative effects of sand and dust storms, Letizia Rossano, head of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), has stated.

SDSs, drying wetlands increasing alarmingly

TEHRAN – The occurrence of sand and dust storms (SDSs) phenomenon is increasing alarmingly across the country due to drying up wetlands, which is worrisome, head of deserts at the Forests, Rangelands, and Watershed Management Organization has stated.

National document drafted for water management, environment protection

TEHRAN – A national document for preserving water resources, managing drought, and soil erosion, and protecting the environment has been drafted by the vice president’s office for science and technology.

Dam building in Afghanistan threatens Hamoun Wetlands in Iran

TEHRAN – Construction of Kamal Khan Dam in Afghanistan has caused Hamoun Wetlands to dry up and generate sand and dust hotspots, Masoud Tajrishi, deputy head of the Department of Environment (DOE) for the human environment, has said.

10-year plan being developed to counter SDS hotspots

TEHRAN – A 10-year national plan is being prepared to deal with internal sand and dust storm (SDS) hotspots, in which the task of all related bodies is specified, Ali Mohammad Tahmasebi, head of the national working group for SDS mitigation, has said.

Reforestation projects implemented in Khuzestan

TEHRAN – Two reforestation projects on tree plantation and surface water management were put into operation in the southwestern province of Khuzestan on Thursday, IRNA reported.

SDSs affect 43% of wetlands nationwide

TEHRAN –Wetlands across Iran measure about 3.4 million hectares in area, 1.4 million hectares of which, equivalent to 43 percent, have become sand and dust storm (SDS) hotspots.

Tehran to host regional meeting on SDSs

TEHRAN – A meeting will be held in Tehran on Monday with representatives of neighboring countries in attendance to develop a plan for dealing with sand and dust storms (SDSs) in the region.

FAO, FRWO sign MOU to counter SDSs

TEHRAN – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Forests, Rangelands, and Watershed Management Organization (FRWO) of Iran inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Sunday to eradicate sand and dust storm (SDS) hotspots in the country.