12 December 2024, Baghdad, Iraq (ILO News): Under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Iraq, Engineer Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, the International Conference on Migration, Asylum, and Humanitarian Challenges concluded today at the "Beit Al-Hikma" Intellectual Center in Baghdad. The conference was organized in cooperation with the ILO, various national governmental institutions, universities, and academic and research centers from Iraq, the Arab region, and the world. It brought together academics, national and international partners from various sectors to discuss migration and asylum issues globally, with a particular focus on the Arab world. The ILO provided technical and financial support to this conference as part of its efforts under the EU-funded Social Protection Reform Program in Iraq.The conference focused on the realities of migration and asylum in Iraq, the Arab world, and the international context. It hosted academics from over 20 countries, presenting 140 research papers addressing different aspects of migration and asylum issues. Participants came from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Turkey, France, China, the United States, Bangladesh, and Iran.The conference discussions aimed to explore the various factors driving youth migration, understand the needs and vulnerabilities of migrants and refugees, and highlight migration and asylum issues, human rights, and the rights of migrant workers to decent work and social guarantees.Over two days, the conference examined the policies and measures needed to govern migration, ensuring the rights of migrants, returnees, and refugees, reducing the risks they face, facilitating decent employment opportunities, protecting their legal, economic, and social rights, and combating human trafficking, forced labor, and migrant smuggling.The conference shed light on migration, displacement, and asylum in Iraq and the Arab world through research and statistics, aiming to identify the main challenges facing countries in governing migration.In his opening speech, Professor Abdul Baqi Al-Khazraji, a member of the Board of Trustees of Beit Al-Hikma and chair of the conference’s preparatory committee, stated:
"Migration is often the result of searching for a better life, but it faces significant challenges that require cooperation to find sustainable solutions that protect youth, the true wealth of society. To counter this critical phenomenon that has significantly impacted Iraqi society in recent years, he emphasized the importance of cooperation, solidarity, and joint action, stressing the need to find effective solutions to retain the country's most precious resource—its youth—as the spirit of the future, hope of society, and an invaluable treasure."This conference comes at a time when the Arab region is experiencing waves of displacement, migration, and asylum due to security events in recent months. This reflects the importance of this issue during such a critical period, requiring concerted efforts at the international and regional levels to mitigate the economic and social impacts on affected groups, particularly displaced persons and refugees, through national social protection systems in the region. It also emphasizes the need for employment policies to include clear objectives in this regard.Understanding the root causes and motivations behind migration and asylum is one of the most critical steps in developing policies and strategies for migration governance. In his speech at the conference, Mr. Karim Al-Nouri, Deputy Minister of Migration, stated:
"We are looking to address the causes, not the results. Unfortunately, most previous efforts focused on finding solutions after the events occurred. Today, we are trying to address the causes of migration. Iraq has earned the respect of international organizations, the European Union, and the United Nations for its continuous cooperation in this field."The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development underscores the interdependence of economic growth and decent work, aiming to foster sustainable, inclusive prosperity. This is particularly vital for the many low-skilled migrant and refugee workers often trapped in exploitative, low-wage conditions. When migrants are in irregular situations, they are frequently pushed into informal economies, limiting their earnings and diminishing their capacity to contribute to the development of both origin and host countries.Dr. Maha Kattaa, the ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, stated: “The importance of adopting international labour agreements is fundamental to the governance of migration and asylum, as economic and social reasons in general and labour in particular are among the main drivers. This requires putting these agreements into effect, especially by the countries that ratified them. By strengthening the capacities of labour inspection departments, expanding social security coverage, and enhancing dialogue between workers, employers, and unions, Iraq can chart a path toward a just and sustainable future that provides decent work opportunities for all.”

The conference covered four main themes: the historical and social dimensions of migration, factors influencing displacement movements, ways to enhance social protection for migrants, and the rights of irregular migrant workers.During the conference, the ILO organized a dialogue session on migration, asylum, and decent work. The session featured ILO experts, government officials from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Planning, and representatives from labor organizations and the Iraqi Federation of Industries. Discussions addressed governmental measures to regulate foreign labor, achievements made, and ongoing challenges in this field. Labor and employer organizations presented their actions to protect migrant workers’ rights, implementing Labor Law No. 37 of 2015 and the Pension and Social Security Law No. 18 of 2023, which ensure protections for migrant workers equal to national workers. ILO experts highlighted the situation of migrant labor in the Arab region, international labor standards, and implemented programs.The conference concluded with recommendations to enhance integrated national policies supporting migration governance, maintaining collaboration between Iraq and its international partners to achieve sustainable development that promotes decent work and social protection.The ILO continues to provide technical support to the Iraqi government and social partners through the Decent Work Program in the country, reinforcing development goals centered on decent work and social protection.Under the EU-funded program for social protection reform in Iraq, the ILO collaborates with Beit Al-Hikma through various labor market activities and the social protection system. Events like this conference revolve around promoting decent work through diverse policies, programs, and activities involving national partners from the government, labor organizations, employer organizations, civil society, research centers, and academic experts. The goal is to foster dialogue and propose systematic, context-specific solutions to ensure inclusive economic growth and social development in Iraq.

The nearest centre that provides similar services is 70km away in Ramadi and not easily accessible to families in Fallujah, Saqlawiyah, A’meriyat and Garma, who returned home after years of displacement. For many, essential legal documents such as birth and marriage certificates were lost or not issued during displacement and securing them requires an initial step: determining the applicant's age."Establishing an age determination committee in Fallujah will make life much easier for many families,” shares Dr. Ahmed Salem Sameet, Director of the Primary Health Care Sector in Fallujah, affiliated with the Anbar Health Directorate. “Right now, they have to take long, expensive, and often risky trips to Ramadi to access this service. Having the committee closer to home will save time, reduce costs, and help communities in Fallujah and nearby areas get the support they need more quickly”. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Iraq, with support from the Government of France, and in close coordination with local authorities in Anbar, established this new age determination committee to support returnees and displaced persons to address critical gaps in securing identity and civil documentation.  “We thank IOM for its close coordination with the Iraqi authorities to provide internally displaced persons with civil documentation,” shares Patrick Durel, Ambassador of France to Iraq. “The new centre in Fallujah will facilitate the process to obtain the needed documents and ultimately contribute to a lasting return of internally displaced persons to their areas of origin. France has consistently supported Iraq to face the consequences of the conflicts and crises it had to deal with and will continue to do so”.The age determination committee, consisting of three medical specialists is the first of its kind in the city that will support roughly 50,000 Iraqis to secure identity and civil documents. A typical examination consists of building a full medical history and examination of dental, skeletal x-rays and physical development, which is corroborated with family history and displacement data. The final results provide a near-accurate date of birth that is used to create the birth certificate and other national identification documents. “The documents issued by the centre are the building blocks for the future of Iraq,” shares Giorgi Gigauri, Chief of Mission for IOM Iraq. “Access to education and future development opportunities start with securing the right documents through the age determination committee”. Age determination certificates are prerequisites for many other legal documents, such as birth certificates, which adversely affect children’s enrollment in schools and their subsequent development. Access to identity and civil documents are a fundamental right and are required to exercise freedom of movement, access to healthcare, education, housing, land and property rights, as well as social protection mechanisms. In the past, traveling to the centre in Ramadi incurred high costs for families living in the outskirts of the governorate, as the process requires multiple visits and overnight stays. This was especially difficult for female-headed households, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. This initiative is part of IOM’s broader legal assistance programme, which seeks to address systemic barriers to access to identity and civil documents. Complicated registration processes, high costs, repeated follow up visits, and institutional inaccessibility have historically hindered displaced persons and returnees from obtaining these documents. IOM’s efforts include providing legal services, engaging government stakeholders, and strengthening the capacity of authorities, community-based groups, and civil society organizations. Similar age determination centres and committees have been set up in the governorates of Ninewa and Salah Din. The establishment of the Fallujah committee is a culmination of nearly one year of intensive coordination and advocacy with the Anbar governorate’s organizations affairs department, the joint coordination and monitoring center (JCMC), and the directorate of health in Al-Anbar. These collaborative efforts highlight IOM’s and the Government of Iraq’s shared vision to support the people of Iraq to secure durable solutions, leaving no one behind. For more info, pls reach out to IraqMCU@iom.int

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Iraq, in collaboration with Iraq's Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MoAWR-KRG), successfully conducted a four-day workshop on "Good Emergency Management Practice (GEMP)" in Erbil. The workshop, supported by the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) under the project "Strengthening Iraq Veterinary Legislation and Expanding Delivery of Animal Health Services and Disease Surveillance," aimed to enhance Iraq's preparedness and response capacities to address Transboundary Animal Diseases (TAD), such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Brucellosis, and others pose significant threats to livestock, livelihoods, and food security in Iraq. Recognizing the need for stronger veterinary response systems, the workshop focused on equipping 20 multidisciplinary participants, including representatives from Iraq's veterinary services, laboratory specialists, and other key stakeholders with tools and strategies to effectively manage animal health emergencies, based on GEMP principles.In his opening remarks, Dr. Salah ElHajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, emphasized the importance of preparedness: “highlighting that transboundary animal diseases requires robust emergency management systems that can mitigate risks to both animal health and food security. By implementing GEMP principles, Iraq's veterinary sector will be better prepared to protect its livestock and strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems. This workshop reflects FAO's commitment to building sustainable, science-based capacities in Iraq” he said“It provided participants with the knowledge and practical experience needed to manage animal health emergencies effectively” Dr. Salah added. The workshop included a dynamic program including both theoretical learning and hands-on exercises, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of emergency management practices. Participants explored the principles of GEMP, engaged in a simulation exercise to practice outbreak responses, and identified critical gaps in the country’s preparedness systems. They will be engaged to develop a roadmap for improving contingency plans for priority animal diseases, with clear milestones to guide implementation. The workshop also fostered stronger collaboration among stakeholders and introduced FAO’s innovative tools and methodologies, such as EMA-i and EMPRES-i+, to enhance disease detection, reporting, and response capacities.This initiative was part of FAO’s broader mission to support Iraq in addressing animal health challenges through sustainable and collaborative approaches. By strengthening the capacities of Iraq’s veterinary sector, the initiative aimed to protect livelihoods, enhance food security, and contribute to sustainable agricultural development while reinforcing the One Health approach to animal, human, and environmental health.

Dr. Maher Johan, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Planning, highlighted the dual challenges of addressing existing informal settlements and curbing future growth. “The informal settlement crisis has posed significant social, security, and environmental challenges since 2014. Although a roadmap was developed in 2012, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for an updated plan. Addressing this issue is crucial for achieving sustainable urban planning through measures such as allocating financial resources, tackling internal displacement, enacting effective legislation, and mitigating social and economic challenges.”Building on the National Policy for Addressing Informal Settlements, endorsed in 2015, the initiative refines the framework to ensure effective implementation, with the aim of integrating sustainable solutions into Iraq’s national development strategies. Funded by the European Union, the dialogue aligns with the project “Increasing Access to Employment Opportunities for Vulnerable Urban Populations in Basra City in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis.”Reflecting on the EU’s role, Mr. Mauro Gioe, Programme Manager of Delegation to Iraq, connected the dialogue to the broader objectives of the project.“Developing a comprehensive Informal Settlement Law is of key importance to address some of the challenges posed by a constantly growing young population. A new law will reinforce Iraq’s paths towards a flourishing socio-economic development and will pave the way for more investment and job creation. The EU remains committed to support the Government’s continuous efforts to maintain and strengthen a stable Iraq through social and economic development that aims also at reducing inequalities, promoting social cohesion, and increasing opportunities for the youth.”The Roadmap for Addressing Informal Settlements in Iraq is structured around four key frameworks: 1) Legal/Technical, 2) Financial, 3) Institutional/Administrative, and 4) Coordination. These frameworks guide the strategic approach, detailing actions, timelines, and the roles of responsible entities. The policy dialogue followed this structure to ensure targeted discussions.Addressing the legal and technical perspective, Mr. Muslim Qazimi, Head of UN-Habitat Iraq, stated, “This framework aims to understand the root causes of informal settlements and deliver tailored solutions to improve living conditions. Actions include mapping informal settlements, preparing feasibility studies for redevelopment, rehabilitation, or resettlement, and improving the quality of life for all Iraqis while promoting a sustainable urban future.”Financing mechanisms emerged as a core aspect of the discussion. Mr. Ali Hussain Abdul Ameer, Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works, emphasised financial viability. “Rehabilitation and upgrading efforts must be reflected in budgets to ensure realistic implementation. Progress relies on enacting the draft Informal Settlements Law and integrating funding into annual plans to prevent further urban encroachment and address the challenges posed by existing settlements.”The dialogue also highlighted institutional coordination to ensure the sustainability of the Roadmap. Key efforts focus on capacity building for pro-poor housing provisions, aligning with Iraq’s National Housing Policy and National Poverty Reduction Strategy. Activities include land-use planning, resettlement, and participatory planning with community involvement.This policy dialogue forms part of a broader series of efforts supported by the European Union to address informal settlements in Iraq. UN-Habitat remains committed to fostering collaboration, providing technical support, and building capacity to create resilient urban environments and sustainable development for all Iraqis. MORE INFORMATIONJuan Valles Robles | Project Manager email: juan.vallerobles@un.org  Ana Paes | Communication Officeremail: ana.paes@un.org