With the support of the Government of Japan, has launched a new series of the Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) trainings in Sharya Camp and Sharya Town, in the Duhok Governorate of Northern Iraq. These trainings are part of the project “Emergency livelihood support to internally displaced persons affected by camp closures and host community members for the development of an inclusive market system”that is providing emergency livelihood support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by camp closures, and to host communities, in order to foster a more inclusive market system in Iraq. By investing in IDPs and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills, UNIDO promotes self-reliance and strengthens the resilience of entire communitiesSharya Camp is home to over 9,000 displaced Yazidis who fled the Sinjar region during the Islamic State’s 2014 genocidal campaign. Conditions in the camp remain harsh with limited access to basic infrastructure and services, with many residents facing ongoing trauma, poverty, and uncertainty about their future. The town of Sharya is also predominantly Yazidi and hosts both long-term residents and displaced families. Between the 24th of August and the 3rd of September, two training programs were held in Sharya Camp and Sharya Town, each providing 65 hours of instruction to a total of 44 men and women. These trainings equipped participants with the practical skills and self-confidence to transform their business ideas into reality, and marked the beginning of series of further trainings opportunities to support aspiring entrepreneurs.Like thousands of other IDPs across the Kurdistan Region in Northern Iraq, many participants face significant barriers to formal employment and stable income. For them, entrepreneurship offers one of the most sustainable pathways to rebuilding their lives and supporting their families.Throughout 11 days, participants acquired skills covering key aspects of business development, including business planning, financial management, budgeting, marketing, and customer relations. The program also placed strong emphasis on soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are essential for sustaining a business in a competitive and often unpredictable economic environment. At the end of the training, participants had the opportunity to receive equipment support package consisting of tools, equipment, and materials tailored to their business ideas, enabling them to immediately apply what they’ve learned and help overcome one of the biggest challenges facing new entrepreneurs: access to start-up resources.The active participation of women in both Sharya Camp and Town underscores the growing influence of women in business and entrepreneurship across the Kurdistan Region. Nearly 40% of the training participants were female, a remarkable figure considering the social and economic challenges women face in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. Women that joined the program showed strong determination to build better futures not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities. Their involvement reflects a broader shift toward inclusive economic development and highlights the transformative potential of targeted training for displaced populations.An example of this determination is Khairiya Rashak Chrko, the eldest daughter of a family originally from Sinjar that was displaced to Sharya Camp in 2014, Khairiya was one of 17 female participants in the program. Her father is the family’s sole wage earner, working as a day laborer without a steady job. Although Khairiya has been actively seeking employment, she has not yet been successful.Reflecting on her experience, Khairiya shared, “the training gave me the skills to establish my own small business.” She added, “I feel confident now that I understand the key principles of marketing and how to build customer trust.”Anwar Jundi Khalaf, is another participant in the program, that lives in Sharya Camp. Like most IDPs, his family has endured both the loss of loved ones and ongoing economic hardship. On Reflection, Anwar shared, “the program was a valuable opportunity to gain life and social skills and to build our capacities. I learned how to navigate the market, start a business, and formally establish it with proper planning and a clear vision for the future.”A computer science graduate, Anwar explained, “I have sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge to work in the field” What he lacked, were business skills and motivation, which, the training successfully provided.Dezheen Jamil Namr, a 20-year-old IDP living in Sharya Town, has not yet had the opportunity to find work or start a business, but shared her aspirations to establish a domestic poultry project. Drawing from personal experience, Dezheen explained, “I’ve gained valuable knowledge from my mother, who raises enough chickens to meet our family’s egg consumption.”Recognizing a market opportunity and the chance to leverage her skills - newly acquired and otherwise Dezheen noted, “there’s strong demand for local eggs, so I plan to raise chickens and sell eggs in commercial quantities. This will help support both me and my family.”The Sharya training program builds on UNIDO’s successful EDP model, previously implemented in other refugee and IDP-hosting areas. In these locations, participants like Dezheen have received the skills and resources needed to open shops, start farms, and expand family businesses. Their achievements demonstrate how displaced individuals, when provided with the right tools and support, can become active contributors to the economy and play a vital role in community recovery and growth. 

Her Excellency Evan Faeq Jabro, Minister of Migration and Displaced,
the firm and close partner to the international community and the United Nations, and the faithful guardian of migration and displaced people’s issues in this government,Excellencies,My dear friend, the representative of the Prime Minister, Dr. Al-Alawi,
My friend and colleague, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohammed Hussein Bahr Al-Ulum,Esteemed guests,It is a great pleasure to join you today at the Conference on the Global Compact for Migration, which serves as a pivotal platform to promote cooperation between the Government of Iraq and the international community, specifically the United Nations, with a view to developing a comprehensive and sustainable migration governance.At the outset, I would like to indicate that the United Nations is a key and principal partner to Iraq and the Government of Iraq, and we, at the United Nations, cherish this partnership and consider this country a future destination of attraction to qualified people and investments from all countries of the world. The United Nations fully supports the Government of Iraq’s orientation to enhance partnerships across various sectors in this field, through creating decent employment opportunities and attracting Iraqi talents from abroad to contribute to building a more advanced, prosperous, and secure Iraq. This partnership represents a strategic opportunity for Iraq to formulate fair and transparent policies that uphold human rights and achieve a sustainable reintegration for returnees from abroad.Moreover, engaging the private sector in the design and implementation of migration programmes opens the way to providing legal and safe alternatives for migration that meet the highest international standards. This would also enhance the ability of this important and precious country in the region to transform migration challenges into genuine development opportunities that contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.I would also like to highlight the vital role of the United Nations Network on Migration in Iraq, as it brings together many relevant UN agencies working in a coordinated manner to support the Government of Iraq’s priorities in the field of migration, provide technical expertise, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and good practices at the regional and international levels.I say it loud and clear: The previous arrangements that some countries used to take when dealing with Iraq and Iraqis should be changed, as Iraq has changed. It is not the country that used to face some challenges anymore, but rather, it has become an active member in the international system. Therefore, these arrangements should be changed in a manner that strengthens the standing of this country and helps it to rise again, consistent with our viewpoint, as people who are present on the soil of this precious country.      We affirm the United Nations’ commitment to continue providing technical support to the Government of Iraq.Your Excellency, the Minister, We are your partners, wholeheartedly, in a manner that serves Iraq, safeguards the status of this country, and restores the ray of civilization that emanated from this blessed land. We, along with the international partners and the private sector, work with you hand-in-hand to ensure the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration, and turn its principles into tangible realities for the benefit of all Iraqis.Before I conclude, and as I promised myself, I must point out a related topic, concerning the Internally Displaced People (IDPs), especially the Yezidis. It is high time that Yezidis, who live far away from their original areas, return to their places of origin in a voluntary, optional, and safe manner, and Iraq can achieve that.I express my thanks to you and to all our partners, and we look forward to continuing our joint work for a bright and promising future for this dear country.Thank you.

Your Excellency Mithaq Al-Khafaji, Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs, Ministry of AgricultureDr. Salah ElHajjHassan, FAO Representative,Mr. Lennart Dreyer, Head of Cooperation, European Union,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the UN system, I would also like to welcome you all to the 6th round of this coordination meeting hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture. I am glad to have finally been able to attend this coordination meeting after several previous attempts. I would like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture for their strong ownership and leadership of this group together with FAO and EU. This is especially important after we phased out the humanitarian coordination architecture. This Strategic Coordination Group is a vital platform in bringing together all key actors including development partners and government entities to align efforts in ensuring a coherent approach in addressing challenges facing Iraq today in food security, agriculture, water and irrigation sectors.  Through this forum, we contribute directly to Iraq’s National Development Plan, and Vision 2030, and through technical cooperation offered by development partners around this table.  Since our last meeting, we have witnessed encouraging progress. Together, we have advanced discussions on climate-smart agriculture, water productivity studies, and value chain development. It is essential that we sustain this momentum and ensure all initiatives complement the National Agricultural Investment Plan - our shared framework for collaboration. I would like to commend the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO for their leadership in developing the National Agricultural Investment Plan. This plan offers a strong opportunity for the Government, donors, and UN partners to strengthen investments, especially from the private sector in agriculture sector.   At the same time, water scarcity and drought remain among the most pressing challenges for food security in Iraq. In this regard, the UN Water Task Force is coordinating our activities across the UN system to ensure they are aligned with national priorities and meet the needs of the affected community particularly in drought-affected southern region.  The United Nations remains committed to offering its assistance to protecting Iraq’s biodiversity, strengthening community resilience, supporting agricultural productivity and improve water governance.  Our support is outlined in our new UNSDCF priorities. In closing, once again I would like to thank you all for your participation and wish you a successful meeting today.   Thank you.

Your Excellency Dr. Saleh Al-Hasnawi, Minister of Health
Distinguished Dr. Hanan Balkhi, Regional Director of WHO \ Eastern Mediterranean region 
Honorable colleagues from the Ministry of Health,
Distinguished partners and guests, It is a great honor to welcome you all to this important gathering, which brings together high-level leaders and stakeholders to address one of Iraq’s most pressing challenges – the issue of drugs and their impact on public health, security, and society. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all attendees for your commitment and leadership in confronting this critical issue, and for your continued support in advancing Iraq’s national response. Today, we convene to discuss the serious challenge of drug use and trafficking. This issue is of utmost significance for Iraq’s stability, public health, and the protection of its youth – the foundation of the country’s future. In recent years, Iraq has moved from being primarily a transit country to becoming a country of consumption, with thousands of cases recorded annually, most affecting young people. We commend the efforts of the Government of Iraq, particularly the Ministry of Health, for preparing the report on the Drug use situation in Iraq and development of the National Protocol for the management of substance use disorders, launching the community awareness guideline and establishing specialized centers such as Al-Qanaa Rehabilitation Center – located on the site of the former Canal Hotel, where several of our UN colleagues lost their lives 22 years ago. Transforming the site of this tragic event into a rehabilitation center and witnessing the launch of these reports from this very location is a significant tribute to the victims of this tragic incident. The United Nations remains committed to supporting Iraq in addressing the drug use challenge. This work directly contributes to the achievement of the Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 on health and wellbeing, and aligns with the priorities of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). We encourage the Government to continue expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation services across all governorates, ensuring these services are accessible to all who need them. It is vital that all interventions place young people at the center, while also ensuring that no vulnerable group is left behind, including women and marginalized communities. The UN stands ready to deepen its partnership with the Government to strengthen prevention, treatment, and enforcement efforts, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to ensure that together, we build a healthier, safer, and more resilient Iraq. In closing, allow me to thank Your Excellencies and all participants for your leadership and commitment in addressing the drug challenge. This collective effort is pivotal in protecting Iraq’s youth, safeguarding public health, and advancing national stability.