Iraq and the United Nations Advance Key Commitments to Strengthen Social Protection Ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2)

Baghdad, 23 October 2025 – The Government of Iraq, in partnership with the United Nations, has concluded a two-day national consultation held on 20–21 October 2025 to shape Iraq’s contribution to the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), to be held from 4–6 November 2025 in Doha, State of Qatar. 

The consultations were convened under the leadership of the Ministry of Planning and the  UN Resident Coordinator’s Office with the technical support of the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Children’s Fund  (UNICEF). 
The two-day workshop brought together representatives from the European Union, one of the key international partners supporting social protection in Iraq, along with officials from the Ministries of Planning, Labour and Social Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Education, Youth and Sports, and Environment.

The event concluded with a set of commitments to strengthen Iraq’s social protection system, which will guide the country’s delegation at the WSSD2 next month.

“Iraq enters the World Summit for Social Development with one strong, unified national vision — focused on social justice, expands opportunities for youth and women, and strengthens institutions to serve all citizens, in close cooperation with our partners from the United Nations and the international community.”
— H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ali Tamim, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Isaczai, said: “These consultations were essential for building a shared national vision. Iraq now goes to Doha with one strong voice — reflecting both its achievements and its ambitions for the future.” 

This nationally led effort reflects Iraq’s leadership in advancing universal social protection as a cornerstone for the eradication of poverty and promoting inclusion.

Iraq’s participation in WSSD2 comes at a pivotal moment — thirty years after the landmark 1995 Copenhagen Summit — as the world renews its commitment to inclusive social development. Iraq will highlight major reforms, including poverty reduction, the expansion of social safety nets to over 7.6 million people, and the ratification of ILO Convention No. 102. Recent achievements include the new Pensions and Social Security Law aligned with international standards and a doubling of social security coverage within four years, reaffirming Iraq’s leadership in rights-based reform.

Building on decades of experience with one of the world’s largest food distribution systems, Iraq’s new vision focuses on children, women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

The United Nations and its partners will continue to provide technical support to Iraq in the lead-up to and during the WSSD2 in Doha, including at a high-level side event titled “From Reform to Impact: Governments Paving a New Era of Universal Social Protection for Food Security and Nutrition”, to be held on 4 November 2025. Led by the Republic of Iraq in partnership with Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the event will highlight Iraq’s leadership in advancing social protection reforms and promoting food security and nutrition as pillars of inclusive, sustainable development.

For media inquiries, please contact:

• Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Iraq
  Zainab Salih | Zainab.salih@un.org | +964 790 110 5664
   
• International Labour Organization (ILO) Iraq
  Raghda Muhi | Muhi@ilo.org  | +964 790 194 6269
   
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Iraq
  Zaid Fahmi | zfahmi@unicef.org  | +964 780 912 6781
   
• World Food Programme (WFP) Iraq
  Saif al-Tatooz | Saif.altatooz@wfp.org | +964 780 915 6198