UNIDO conducted A workforce training course titled “Computer Network, Cybersecurity, and Entrepreneurship Development” was conducted. The activity was part of the Austrian Government-funded initiative Digital Technology Skills to Enhance Employability in Iraq, which aims to strengthen digital and entrepreneurial skills among young people, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and host community members.By providing practical, future-ready training, the programme helps participants improve their employability and contribute to local innovation and economic growth.A total of 21 young people, including 12 men and 9 women aged between 19 and 28, took part in the 12-day course. Participants came from diverse educational backgrounds such as computer science, information technology, electrical engineering, business administration, and economics. This diversity reflected the multidisciplinary approach of the training and its inclusive nature.The technical sessions were led by four experienced trainers in computer networking and cybersecurity. They were supported by national experts from the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals, specifically from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development Department, which plays an important role in supporting SME registration, capacity-building, and start-up assistance across Iraq. Their involvement ensured that the training content aligned with national strategies for digital transformation and entrepreneurship, while also providing participants with guidance on business development and regulatory procedures.For many participants, the training was more than a learning opportunity. It was a chance to connect academic knowledge with real-world application.Hanan Ihsan Jassim, a senior student in Digital Technology, joined the training to gain practical experience beyond her university coursework and volunteer projects.“This training helped me develop myself and be more responsible,” she said.Hanan was particularly interested in the combination of networking and cybersecurity, two areas she considers essential in today’s job market. She also appreciated the entrepreneurship component, which encouraged her to think more concretely about starting her own business.“I felt that the workshop made me connect my studies to real-life application and helped me think in a broader way,” she explained.The experience gave her greater confidence in her career ambitions.“I feel more confident in applying to companies because I now have practical technical skills. At the same time, I have the ambition to start my own project in the future.”She also spoke about the atmosphere of the training.“I felt positive energy from all the participants, and we were all excited to learn and benefit.”Another participant, Nouran Hamid Dakhal, also a student of Digital Technology, joined the training with clear technical goals. Through her academic research, she had already developed an interest in networking and cybersecurity, and she saw the workshop as a valuable opportunity to deepen her expertise.“I registered because it focused on networks and cybersecurity, fields that are still emerging in my country, with limited training opportunities and few specialized institutions,” she said.For Nouran, the course was especially useful because it combined technical instruction with practical application. It helped her better understand core concepts in cybersecurity and networking, while also introducing the importance of entrepreneurship and intellectual property in protecting innovative ideas.“If I continue to develop my skills in cybersecurity, I will have access to roles that were previously out of reach, such as vulnerability analysis, network security management, or work in a Security Operations Center,” she explained.Nouran also emphasized the value of collaboration.“The workshop helped me connect communication and information security in a clear and realistic way,” she said. “The trainers and participants were highly engaged, and the learning environment was very interactive.”This training forms part of a larger series of activities supported by the Austrian Government in Iraq under the Digital Technology Skills to Enhance Employability in Iraq initiative. The programme promotes digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and inclusive employment opportunities.By equipping young people, especially those from vulnerable communities, with practical skills, the initiative supports national recovery, business development, and social cohesion. Through efforts like this, the Austrian Government and its partners contribute to long-term community resilience, youth empowerment, and sustainable economic growth across Iraq. 

Your Excellency, Minister of Construction, Housing and Public Municipalities, Mr. Bangeen RekaniChargé d'affaires of the European Union Mission in Iraq, Mr. Adam JanssenRegional Director for Arab States of UN-Habitat, Ms. Rania Hedeya,Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure to join you today for the launch of Iraq’s National Housing Policy 2025–2030. This event marks a defining milestone in Iraq’s national development journey, as envisioned in Iraq’s Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan. It also reaffirms Iraq’s strong commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 11 — building sustainable cities and communities. This policy is not merely about constructing houses; it is about ensuring that every Iraqi family — whether living in cities, rural areas, or communities recovering from conflict — has access to safe, affordable, and resilient housing. According to UN-Habitat, Iraq currently faces a housing deficit of 2.5 to 3.5 million units — a gap that must be bridged over the medium term to keep pace with population growth and rapid urbanization. The implementation of this policy represents a crucial step toward closing that gap and addressing the needs of Iraq’s growing population, which continues to increase at around 2.5 percent annually. In recent years, Iraq has faced growing challenges stemming from fire incidents, structural vulnerabilities, and the increasing impacts of extreme heat. This policy provides a comprehensive response — introducing national building codes and standards that enhance fire safety, structural integrity, and climate resilience across the housing sector. I would like to particularly underscore the inclusive character of this policy. It seeks to address the needs of women, youth, displaced persons, and marginalized communities, ensuring that no one is left behind. It acknowledges that the housing challenge is not merely about numbers — it is about equity, access, and social justice. This policy is also firmly anchored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), recognizing housing as a cross-cutting enabler of poverty reduction, resilience-building, and sustainable economic growth. Here, I wish to commend UN-Habitat for its technical leadership in the development of this policy, in close partnership with the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities. Given the policy’s cross-sectoral relevance — spanning public health, education, employment, displacement, and climate change — its effective implementation will require the engagement of the entire UN systemalongside national counterparts. Successful implementation will also depend on strong political will, adequate financing, and close inter-ministerial coordination. In closing, I wish to once again congratulate the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities on the development of this timely and forward-looking policy. 

 The United Nations stands ready to support Iraq as it translates this vision into tangible progress — ensuring that every Iraqi has access to a safe, resilient, and dignified home. Thank you.

Panel 2: Full, effective and meaningful youth participation, at national and international levels, for the benefit of current and future generations Thursday, 25 September 2025 United Nations Headquarters, New York Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, leaders of today and tomorrow, As we gather here today, we celebrate not only all that has been achieved in the last 30 years of the World Programme of Action for Youth, but we also have an opportunity to build on those achievements to ensure more full, effective and meaningful participation of the young citizens of the world. It is striking that roughly half of the world’s population is under 30. They are leading the way in tackling the world’s most urgent challenges and are the primary stakeholders of tomorrow. So – without a doubt – it is in the interests of current and future generations, and the world as a whole, that the youth of today participate effectively and meaningfully in making decisions about tomorrow. But in order to achieve that, we must adopt multifaceted strategies; we need to invest in education systems that not only impart knowledge but also cultivate critical thinking, leadership, and civic engagement skills among youth. Programs that promote skills for the 21st century—such as digital literacy and environmental stewardship—are essential. In this digital and Artificial Intelligence age, technology serves as a powerful tool for young people to mobilize, advocate, and collaborate. We must create safe online spaces where they can express their views, engage with policymakers, and take part in global dialogues. Today I will give you the example of Iraq where I have the honour to serve as the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). In Iraq, great strides have been made in the last 30 years. Iraq has a vibrant, youthful population, with under fifteens alone making up 36% of the population. Iraqi youth have demonstrated their resilience time and again as the country repeatedly overcame outbreaks of conflict, foreign occupation, terrorism and civil strife. They have picked up the pieces and look forwards, rather than backwards, as they rebuild their lives and chart the course of their country together. Besides the resilience of its youth, Iraq has implemented strategies and measures to ensure their meaningful participation in shaping the country’s future. In 2023, a Higher Council for Youth was established. Chaired by the Prime Minister but with active participation of young representatives, it mainstreams and incorporates youth perspectives in governance and decision-making at the highest level, reinforced by a cross-ministerial permanent committee. Young citizens also participate in Iraq’s engagements at the international level. For example, with support from UNICEF, 160 children and youth have contributed to Iraq’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. As the United Nations, we also have a duty to ensure our decision-making is meaningfully informed by young members of the societies we serve. In Iraq, the United Nations established a Youth Advisory Council made up of 13 young leaders aged 17 to 24 in January of this year, with support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. In furthering the UN Youth Strategy 2030, the platform engages young Iraqis in shaping UN policies and monitoring progress for all our activities spanning sustainable development, peace and human rights. There are important lessons to draw from these experiences. For one, young people need to be in the room, at the table, and actively part of the conversations and decisions shaping the future that is ultimately theirs. Full participation is essential and, in order for it to be effective and meaningful, there need to be robust institutions to amplify young people’s voices. This means not only giving them a seat at the table but ensuring that their voices are heard, respected, and integrated into the policies and actions that shape our societies. It requires appropriate budgetary allocations, which the Government has provided in supporting permanent structures engaging youth representatives. And finally, participation needs to be inclusive. What does this mean in practice? It means equal participation of young women and men, of youth from different socio-economic backgrounds, from rural as well as urban areas, and of young persons with disabilities. In a country with a rich tapestry of interwoven communities such as Iraq, it also means equitable and representative participation of youth from different ethno-religious backgrounds. Iraq’s experience is instructive for the world, and there are many valuable lessons to be learned. As we gather here today to mark 30 years since the adoption of the World Programme, let us learn from each other – and from young participants in particular – how we can engage and amplify the voices of tomorrow in laying the groundwork for a better world today. Together, let us pave the way for a world that values youth not just as beneficiaries of policies but as architects of our shared future. The time is now to invest in their potential, to listen to their dreams, and to realize that this is not merely about youth. This is about the health and sustainability of our world—for them and for all generations to come.

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you. I welcome all, and commend our Iraqi partners for their efforts in organizing this conference in cooperation with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. I also thank His Excellency President Abdul Latif Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq, for his kind sponsorship to this conference. I am pleased to see you, dear brother Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, presiding over this conference alongside the Acting Head of the Office of Counter-Terrorism. There is a saying: “The best speech is that which is concise yet meaningful.” What must be said on such an occasion is the following: First: Terrorism is a plague and a global threat to the international community. Some call it “terrorism,” while others unfortunately refer to it as an “extreme form of violence.” Call it what you wish, but in the end it is nothing other than terrorism, and its perpetrators are terrorists, regardless of their religious, ethnic affiliations or their nationalities. Second: Al-Hol camp and other similar camps should not exist at all - not in Syria nor in any other country. Their prolonged presence without resolution is unacceptable. These camps should have been dismantled years ago. Syria is not a shelter for terrorists and their families from all over the world, and the continued existence of such camps on Syrian soil without arrangements with the Syrian Government constitutes a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Third: I extend my appreciation to all the countries that have repatriated their nationals from Al-Hol and other camps in Syria. The best service the international community can offer Syria and the Syrian people at this particular stage is for every State to repatriate its citizens and nationals from Syria. Syria has borne more than enough. Fourth: Supporting the Syrian Government in extending its authority and control over all of its national territory is both a duty and a commitment, and it contributes directly to international peace and security. I call on the international community - as Iraq has done - to provide genuine support toward this goal. Fifth: Iraq’s record in repatriating its citizens is exemplary and commendable. I wholeheartedly praise the efforts made by the Iraqi Government, and I acknowledge its commitment and determination to bring back the majority of its nationals from Al-Hol and other camps. At the United Nations, and within the UNAMI mission, we work side by side with both the Iraqi and Syrian Governments to achieve this objective - and, God willing, it will be achieved. In conclusion, today, we must move together with firm steps to eradicate terrorism, in line with international principles. I renew my gratitude to the Government of Iraq and to all those who contributed to organizing this conference. I wish everyone success, and I look forward to the day we meet again, soon, in a world where such camps and prisons no longer exist - neither in Syria nor elsewhere. Thank you.