Targeting governance, environment, and economy: Launch of a cooperation document between Iraq and the United Nations until 2029

Targeting governance, environment, and economy: Launch of a cooperation document between Iraq and the United Nations until 2029

2026-10-04

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Ministry of Planning announced today, Sunday, the launch of the United Nations Framework for Cooperation for Sustainable Development (UNSDCF) document for the period (2025–2029).

This came during a ceremony organized by the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry’s headquarters in Baghdad, in cooperation with the United Nations and in the presence of representatives of the Iraqi government, United Nations organizations and relevant parties.

In this regard, the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Technical Affairs, Maher Hammad Johan, affirmed in a speech during the ceremony that the launch of the document represents a pivotal milestone in the course of joint development work, and a basis for strengthening the partnership between the Republic of Iraq and the United Nations system during the coming years, noting that its preparation came as a result of joint efforts and continuous coordination between national institutions, United Nations agencies and international partners, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting the development process in Iraq and responding to its development priorities and needs.

He added that aligning the priorities of the United Nations Framework for Cooperation for Sustainable Development with Iraq’s Vision 2030, the priorities of the government program, and the National Development Plan (2024–2028) represents a fundamental pillar to ensure that international cooperation is consistent with the national development path, and to direct resources, expertise, and technical support towards the priorities identified by Iraq.

Johan also stressed the importance of strengthening national ownership of the framework, as its success and the sustainability of its results require strengthening coordination and integration between ministries and government institutions, and integrating its priorities into executive programs, plans and sectoral budgets, in line with Iraq’s 2030 vision, the government program, the national development plan and sectoral strategies with developmental impact.

The Undersecretary pointed out that the next stage requires strengthening the responsibility of national institutions in leading the implementation and follow-up process, and transforming the priorities and commitments included in the framework into implementable and measurable programs and projects, which ensures that the outputs of cooperation are tangible and their impact on the lives of citizens can be measured, in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Johan called on Iraq’s partners in the United Nations and international and regional organizations to continue providing technical support, funding and expertise, in line with national priorities and development plans, with a focus on building national capacities and transferring knowledge and expertise to Iraqi institutions and personnel, which contributes to the sustainability of the results of cooperation in implementing programs.

For his part, the UN Resident Coordinator in Iraq, Peter Hawkins, explained the importance of continuing cooperation between the Iraqi government and the United Nations, within the framework of implementing the UN Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development for the period (2025–2029), which was signed between the two sides on December 25, 2025, indicating that the cooperation framework is in line with Iraq’s National Development Plan and Iraq Vision 2030, and supports progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

He added that this meeting represents an opportunity to review the programs supported by the United Nations, and the extent of their connection to the priorities of government institutions, as well as to enhance the participation of national bodies in the results groups and follow up on the implementation of the programs and evaluate their impact, stressing the commitment of the United Nations to continue working with the government and people of Iraq, and to strengthen the partnership, in a way that contributes to achieving tangible results that are reflected in the lives of citizens.

The ceremony included a review of the key elements of the cooperation framework, the sets of results, and a discussion of the next steps to activate the framework and achieve its objectives.

The celebration included dividing the participants into specialized groups that addressed: inclusive social development, sustainable economic development, livelihoods and employment, the environment and the ability to adapt to climate change, good governance and the rule of law, in addition to the data, monitoring and evaluation set and the Sustainable Development Goals (DMESG).

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