May 2 2025 News 2025
Sardar Group embodied a clear message of raising environmental awareness and fostering cultural exchange between Iraq and Japan, with the Kurdistan Region witnessing a unique event through the planting of Japanese Sakura trees in Sakura Hills, Erbil, on February 7, 2025, along with additional planting activities at the Sulaymaniyah Governorate headquarters, Azadi Park, and the city of Halabja on May 2, 2025. This step comes as part of a series of green initiatives led by Sardar Group towards a more sustainable and beautiful Iraq.
The Japanese Sakura tree is a worldwide symbol of renewal and hope. Its pink blossoms not only beautify the surroundings, but also breathe new life into them, giving cities a vibrancy that reflects on their residents. Since the launch of this initiative in 2015, Sardar Group has planted more than 2,000 Sakura trees across Iraq, an effort that continues year after year, becoming a symbol of beauty and environmental balance.
A group of students from Kore Shaqlawa School took part in this initiative, supported and in cooperation with Toyota Iraq. The event reflected the spirit of teamwork, as small and large hands alike carried the responsibility of reviving the soil through planting, believing that every flower planted today is a promise of a cleaner and more beautiful future.
The activities were also attended by several official and academic figures and representatives from various institutions, including Mr. Salam Bilal Iskandar, Representative of the Halabja Municipal Directorate; Ms. Layla Omar Ali, Representative of the Sulaymaniyah Municipal Directorate; Mr. Bakr Saeed, Representative of Azmar Aviation Company; Mr. Omar Hama Rashid from the office of Mr. Qubad Talabani; Mr. Behroz Salar from the Department of Parks in Sulaymaniyah; Mr. Fereydoun Ali, Director of Hawari Shar Park; Dr. Bilal Wahab, President of the American University of Iraq – Sulaymaniyah; and Mr. Fadhel Ibrahim, Representative of the Sulaymaniyah Governor’s Office.
This initiative provided a unique opportunity to enhance environmental awareness among participants, especially the youth and students who took part in planting. It reflected the combined efforts of the public sector, private sector, and civil society, and emphasized the importance of cooperation in building a greener future. The events also shed light on the vital role of afforestation in improving air quality in urban areas. With this spirit, the Sakura planting initiative stands as part of a sustainable approach that seeks to achieve environmental and cultural development in Iraq.
