Under the patronage of the President of Al-Mustaqbal University, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, and in alignment with its ongoing commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing environmental and community partnerships, Al-Mustaqbal University organized the Future Forum to Combat Desertification and Drought.
In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Muzafar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, representing the university’s presidency, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to embedding sustainability concepts through education, scientific research, and institutional practices. The forum was marked by high-level academic, official, and international presence.
He highlighted that “the university actively contributes to the achievement of the SDGs, particularly Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 15 (Life on Land), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).”
In his address, Mr. Ali Kamona, representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), emphasized the organization’s role in combating desertification and drought, and in enhancing the resilience of rural communities. He also stressed “the vital role of universities in addressing this challenge through their academically and scientifically qualified human resources — including faculty members, researchers, and student graduation projects.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Khalid Kazem Al-Salhi, Director of the Sustainable Development Division at the university, affirmed that “the university's celebration of international days comes in response to the directives of Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi and is part of the university’s organizational culture to translate its slogan — Towards a Sustainable University — into a tangible reality through education, research, and community service.”
The forum was also attended by local officials from Babylon Governorate, as well as a number of academics and environmental experts