United Nations in Iraq

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Iraq:

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Publication

06 September 2021

United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework IRAQ (UNSDCF)

For decades, Iraq has suffered political instability caused by armed conflict, waves of internal displacement, and the resulting socio‐economic crises. The decline in the oil prices, on which the Government2is heavily dependent, the proliferation of armed actors operating outside State control, and the COVID‐19 pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. The youth popular uprisings, which started in October 2019, called for improved governance system, meaningful political reforms, economic growth, accountable political institutions and job opportunities.

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25 January 2022

Weaving for a new Iraq: Durable solutions for women’s livelihood in Kirkuk

The Director of the Carpet Factory briefed about the latest innovative partnership with UN-Women entitled: Women’s Leadership, Empowerment, Access and Protection (LEAP II). This project is implemented by the Women Leadership Institute with generous funding provided by the Government of Japan. The traditional art of carpet-weaving is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. Hand-woven carpets are more expensive, but of higher quality than mass-produced ones. Director Muhanad demonstrated this by showing the visiting delegation a hand-woven rug and that looked fabulous, and then revealed…that it was over 100 years old! By comparison, a machine-woven rug already showed signs of wear and tear after just 2 years of use. UN-Women is supporting the Kirkuk Carpet Factory through its innovative LEAP II project modality. This allows 20 young apprentices to learn the ancient art of carpet weaving from master-weavers. The project involves skills-transfer, heritage preservation, vocational training and livelihoods generation. The apprentices were selected from among the rich tapestry of different ethnic communities, IDPs and people with disabilities in Kirkuk. Ms. Hanim, one of the most talented apprentice-weavers is deaf. Yet this is not a handicap at all! Ms. Hanim weaves beautiful, complex 300-knot creations without losing her laser-sharp focus on the design. The Director noted that he received over 200 applications and competition for the 20 available slots was fierce. Interestingly, despite the high pay and good working conditions, no men applied for the apprenticeship programme. The preservation of cultural heritage mixed with marketing and design could form the basis of an excellent livelihood project for the returnee community. Kirkuk would like to see more of these kinds of innovative vocation-apprenticeship programmes for women in Kirkuk, particularly in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) field. Director Muhaned explained that until the 1990s, Iraq produced the most beautiful, hand-woven carpets that were much prized by foreign dignitaries and businessmen. Even Turkish traders bought carpets in Iraq at the time. Unfortunately, decades of sanctions and civil war have decimated the Iraqi carpet trade. From the 7 officially licensed state companies, only the ones in Kirkuk, Baghdad and Babylon are still left. Currently, the State Company for Hand-Woven Carpets falls under the Ministry for Industry and Minerals, which is not very interested in promoting and marketing Mesopotamian carpets as an international brand. It was suggested that perhaps hand-made carpet workshops might be better regulated under the Ministry of Culture, so that the link with the UNESCO intangible heritage can be made. That way, Iraqi carpets can be marketed as cultural artifacts, both at home and abroad. A suggestion that could help in this regard would be for the Kirkuk Carpet Factory to expand their production with an internet-based app that could allow customers (from all over the world) to upload a picture or design that they wish to turn into a carpet, hand-made and ready-to-order within 15 days. Regrettably, no tourist agencies or freight shipping companies operate in Kirkuk yet to make these kinds of entrepreneurial initiatives possible, and many beautiful hand-woven carpets go unsold. By: Martijn Dalhuijsen, UNAMI Photos: Harith Al-Obaidi, UNAMI

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02 January 2022

Strengthening IDP-owned Businesses and Upscaling a Workforce through Entrepreneurial Training

Thanks to the generous support of the Japanese Government, UNIDO has organized Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) trainings at the Shariya and Kabarto IDP Camps, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and upscaling a workforce. The ten-day, 65-hour entrepreneurship training programme collaborates with 43 existing micro businesses located within the Camps and strives to make these businesses more sustainable and resilient, especially in light of the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The training, which includes sessions such as marketing, management and budgeting, is designed to help the IDPs leverage their past career experiences, improve upon existing management skills and acquire new knowledge in order to sustain and improve their micro businesses. Participants and collaborating entrepreneurs receive asset support in the form of equipment, tools and supplies to strengthen their enterprises towards success. Khalaf Murad Ilyas, originally from a village near Sinjar town, Nineveh Governorate, participated in the programme as a means of expanding the barber business he has established in the Camp. Back home in his village, Khalaf was involved in his family’s small barbershop and worked alongside his father and uncle. Having only finished primary school, Khalaf says that, prior to the programme, he had not been exposed to skills like developing a business plan, and setting goals for business expansion. “I learned how to manage my time and how to formulate a vision for the future, “Khalaf says of his experiences in the programme. “I plan to develop my business to have a good income to improve the situation of my family.” Nada Yusif Kalo, another programme participant, operates a small sewing shop in Kabarto IDP Camp. A divorcee with 4 children to support, Nada has been displaced since 2014. Nada worked as a seamstress at a clothing factory in Mosul for five years, before deciding to go into business for herself. Nada opened a small workshop at her home in Mosul after making an agreement with the factory who had employed her—taking in outsourced work from the factory, in addition to growing her own customer base. Using credits and loans, Nada had made significant investments in her home-based business until Mosul fell into the hands of ISIS, forcing her with her family to flee and losing all her equipment to looting. After being in the camp, she had to start work again to secure income for her children. She opened a small shop with simple equipment. The skill and experience she had could secure her some income. “There are many skills that I lacked and did not have any idea on those I learned from the training such as, managing your business, advertising and promoting of your products, and also how to calculate profit and loss. These are crucial to the development of one’s business,” Nada says. Nada says that her business felt the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, as fewer social gatherings equated to less need for new clothing. Despite this, she is beginning to see her business return, thanks to vaccines and bettering mitigation efforts. Thanks to the support of UNIDO, she intends to expand her business, and serve as a training vehicle for other women in need of skills training to gain independence and escape poverty. “If you do not think of others you cannot think of yourself,” Nada says.

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22 March 2022

Rainwater harvesting now to preserve groundwater for tomorrow

World Water Day is marked this year under the theme ‘Groundwater; making the invisible visible’. It highlights the importance of groundwater and the need to protect and preserve this precious resource. With about 14 percent of Iraq’s water coming from groundwater – the rest from the surface waters of the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates – some Iraqis are taking action now to preserve groundwater for tomorrow. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, activists from several environmental organisations are focusing on conserving water, reforestation and decluttering polluted areas. Working with thousands of volunteers in Erbil, Duhok and Sulaymaniyah, Hawkar Ali, Gashbin Idrees Ali and Shahen Omer Sa’eed of Hasar Organization explain how they use water in their climate projects to sustain the environment. “Erbil's groundwater level is deep, and it takes a longer time to be recharged by annual rainwater infiltration. We must preserve it by promoting artificial recharging projects. If we have surface flow during the wet season, we can use surface water for storing underground,” says Hawkar Ali, founder of Hasar. “Instead of groundwater, we must harvest rainwater by building several dams upstream of Erbil city.” A Ph.D. student in Earth Science Engineering, Hawkar Ali recalls how in 2021 their tree nursery suffered from water shortages due to a drop in groundwater levels at the nearby well. Learning from their experience, they now use other water methods to sustain the trees they plant like in their recent project in Pirmam. Echoing Hawkar’s sentiments and equally as passionate about water conservation, protecting and greening our environment, Gashbin Idrees Ali says the main objective of the project, implemented in partnership with UNICEF and financed by Germany, is to reduce desertification by planting trees around artificial ponds that they build. “These ponds collect rainwater and reuse it to irrigate the planted trees,” he explained as he joined volunteers in early March this year to plant 2,000 trees around Dwin’s pond at Pirmam in the Erbil province. Hawkar Ali believes that reforestation needs sustainable water resources to be successful and rainwater ponds can be a solution. Explaining how the organization mitigates the effect of water scarcity to sustain their plants and reforest Erbil, Shahen Omer Sa’eed said, “We plant the trees that go with the Region’s ecosystem and climate. We have started with oak trees that require less water. Our aim is not merely to green the areas but also to address the issue of water scarcity.” Hasar Organization has been involved in a three-year study of water resource protection focused on the development of harvesting rainwater integrated with reforestation campaign. Hawkar emphasizes that there must be a water strategy at the governmental level which focuses on water as a critical and vulnerable issue in the Region. “Any water protection initiative must be supported. Urban design should consider the groundwater distribution; there should not be urban distribution over the recharging side of the city that is supposed to infiltrate water into the underground.” === Translations by Ihsan Barzanji, Nafea Azeez and Rashwan Salih (UNAMI PIO)

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22 March 2022

UNAMI and Iraqi Network for Social Media hold roundtable discussion on digital rights and digital security in Baghdad

Baghdad, 22 March 2022 - UNAMI, in cooperation with the Iraqi Network for Social Media (INSM), organized today a roundtable on digital rights and digital security in Baghdad. This provided for the first time a platform for dialogue among Iraqi authorities, private companies and civil society representatives, outlining issues encountered by all sides in relation to cybersecurity. “An open and trusted internet cultivates innovation and creates opportunities for all. Its foundation lies in the trust of users, reliable networks and a free and secure internet which is more important than ever”, said Hayder Hamzoz, Founder and CEO of INSM. Participants proposed concrete next steps on how to tackle the issue of security in the online space, including the establishment of coordination mechanisms, internet policies and the adoption of relevant laws. “Only a continuous multi-stakeholder dialogue, framed by human rights, will lead to a sustainable way forward, protecting the human rights of all in cyberspace”, said Danielle Bell, Chief of the Human Rights Office of UNAMI. This roundtable concluded a cutting-edge project aimed to enhance the online protection of civil society organizations engaged on human rights matters. The project provided a series of trainings on digital rights and online security in the past few months that were attended by approximately 200 participants. This was accompanied by the provision of several protection tools, including a digital security guide, a digital help desk, and tailor-made digital security assessments for Iraqi NGOs.

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21 March 2022

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2022

Basra, 21 March 2022 – To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Missions for Iraq (UNAMI), in cooperation with the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR), organized a short-film screening and roundtable discussion in Basra to promote tolerance, inclusion and respect for diversity in line with this year’s global theme of ‘Voices for action against racism’. The event brought together representatives from Iraq’s Armenian, Chaldean, Sabean-Mandean, Christian and Syriac communities as well as Iraqis of African descent, members of minority human rights networks, the IHCHR and civil society activists. The 7 women and 11 men from Basra Governorate discussed their experience of racism and shared ideas on how to adopt a unified approach as a means of combating discrimination. At the start of the event, UNAMI screened four short-films that exemplify the vision and creative talent of Iraq’s youth in exercising their right to freedom of expression, and which tell important stories about human rights and rights of minorities. The Secret of Existence, (directed by Jassem Al Ansaeri), highlights harassment based on religious or ethnic difference. Give Me My Chance, (directed by Omar Yassein), depicts poverty-based discrimination in access to education. Colours (directed by Alaa Zaieyd) shows how racial discrimination isn’t the natural order of things but is learned. Identity, (directed by Shahab Alarkwazi), reveals barriers that marginalized women can face obtaining identity documents and accessing basic services. In discussions which followed the film screening, participants observed that children must be taught tolerance and respect for minorities, both at home and at school, from the youngest age. The discussion also highlighted the need to develop accessible and practical complaint procedures, and to strengthen the legal framework to counter racism and discrimination. Participants also highlighted the vulnerability of ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities in Iraq and emphasized the important role of leaders and community elders in combatting racism and racial discrimination.

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Press Release

22 March 2022

France Renews its Commitment to Protecting Civilians impacted by Explosive Ordnance in Iraq

Four years after the Government of Iraq declared victory over Daesh, the presence of explosive ordnance, including improvised explosive devices, continues to kill and maim civilians, hindering the durable and safe return of internally displaced persons and inhibiting reconstruction efforts. The Government of Iraq and other national actors maintain mine action capacities within a number of government entities and established mine action authorities, though the demand for assistance far exceeds the resources available. Through this grant, UNMAS will continue to assist the Government of Iraq to carry out clearance and risk education in liberated areas to create safe spaces for returns and protect Iraqis from explosive threats. Local capacity enhancement will also be prioritized through a partnership model that brings together international mine action organizations with local NGOs, paving the way for localization and a sustainable mine action response in Iraq. Commenting on the contribution, the French Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Eric Chevalier, said: “Demining is often the first step in restoring stability and bringing back a normal life in conflict zones. As such, it is a priority of our support to the Iraqi territories liberated from Da’esh. Since 2019, France has supported UNMAS with 1.6 million euros. Through the Crisis and Support Center, France has also been directly funding several mine action NGOs. In 2022, France stays committed to the fight against Da’esh and to reconstruction efforts for the benefit of the Iraqi people.” “France has been a core supporter of UNMAS activities in Iraq since day one. This additional contribution will go a long way in assisting UNMAS to further develop local mine action capacities in country, which will be the primary building blocks for a strong and independent nationally-led mine action sector in Iraq,” said Mr. Pehr Lodhammar, Chief of Mine Action Programme of UNMAS in Iraq.

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Press Release

21 March 2022

Government of Germany/KfW and UNOPS Support Affected Communities in Anbar and Sinjar, Iraq

With a total support of 35 Million EUR from the Federal Republic of Germany, through the KfW Development Bank, UNOPS will undertake the rehabilitation of war-damaged shelters and basic community infrastructure such as water and sanitation stations and networks, roads and solar street lighting. UNOPS will adopt an integrated approach in order to enhance the living conditions of the conflict-affected communities and to improve their access to basic public services. “Strengthening local resilience by rehabilitating the war-affected infrastructure which is necessary for everyday life is one of the priorities of German cooperation with Iraq. The project in Anbar and Sinjar, financed through KfW on behalf of the German Federal Government and implemented by UNOPS, can contribute significantly to this end and will support host communities and IDPs alike,” said Germany’s Chargé d’Affaires Peter Felten. Mr. Muhammad Usman Akram, UNOPS Director of Amman Multi-Country Office said, “Building on our robust partnership with KfW in the region, we are pleased at the opportunity to continue our cooperation in Iraq in support of communities in Anbar and Sinjar. Working together with KfW, as our partner, we can support Iraq’s efforts to build a better future for all, as we see more and more people returning to their homes”. The new agreement marks the second phase of an ongoing shelter project with KfW in Anbar governorate. The first phase of this project was initiated in December 2020 for the rehabilitation of 1,000 war-damaged shelters. Under the first phase, around 2,400 individuals have been receiving legal assistance to ensure their housing, land and property rights and obtain the legalisation of their ownership documents. With the additional funding of EUR 20 million, the total project budget will increase to EUR 35 million, which will enable UNOPS to assist 450,000 women, men, boys and girls who have returned to the affected areas. END - About KfW: KfW Development Bank has been helping the German Federal Government to achieve its goals in development policy and international development cooperation for more than 50 years. KfW is an experienced bank and a development institution with financing expertise, an expert knowledge of development policy and many years of national and international experience. On behalf of the German Federal Government, and primarily the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW finances and supports programmes and projects that mainly involve public sector players in developing countries and emerging economies – from their conception and execution to monitoring their success. KfW's goal is to help partner countries fight poverty, maintain peace, protect both the environment and the climate and shape globalisation in an appropriate way. About UNOPS: UNOPS helps the UN and its partners provide peace and security, humanitarian and development solutions. The organization’s mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. UNOPS services cover infrastructure, project management, procurement, financial management and human resources. Partners call on UNOPS to supplement their own capacities, improve speed, reduce risks, boost cost-effectiveness and increase quality. UNOPS Operational Hub in Amman covers projects in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen and implements work in partnership with bilateral donors, national governments and other UN agencies.

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Press Release

20 March 2022

With the support of the European Union, the section of the FAO / Ministry of Agriculture attracted senior officials and many visitors in the Baghdad International agricultural Fair.

Activities of the projects funded by the European Union in Iraq and implemented by FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture witnessed a large number of visitors by presenting a wide range of distinguished Iraqi products processed by rural women through the milk value chain development program. Visitors were exposed to tasting many products, In addition explanations and extension leaflets were distributed. Ministers of Agriculture, Youth and Sports acknowledged FAO efforts to improve Iraqi products at all levels while introducing innovations in selected value chains. On the other hand, FAO representative highlighted that such efforts are within the FAO and EU strategy to improve livelihoods, create more opportunities for youth, empower rural women and encourage investment and private sector role in rural areas. Dr. Salah thanked the European Union for their continuous support and partners working in the Ministry of Agriculture for their cooperation in the implementation of these strategic projects promoting the development of the agricultural sector. The aim of this 2022 agricultural week is to exchange experiences and find plans and projects to support the country’s economy, programed activities are an important link between the public and private sector to introduce agricultural and animal products, mechanization, sprinklers, feed, fertilizers, poultry projects, veterinary medicines, horticultural projects, technologies for combating desertification, new varieties of seeds to support national food security.

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Press Release

20 March 2022

Dialogue launched for establishment of Network of Religious Leaders to Prevent Violent Extremism in Iraq

A high-level dialogue session included members of the National Committee on the Implementation of the Strategy to Prevent Violent Extremism and members of the Shiite and Sunni, Yazidi, Christian and Sabian endowments, in addition to the AlHussein Holy shrine. A key focus of the Network of Religious Leaders will be to promote moderate religious discourse and increase awareness and support to community initiatives on the Prevention of Violent Extremism in Iraq. This dialogue session contributes to UNDP’s integrated approach to Preventing Violent Extremism and supporting social cohesion in Iraq, including support to the National Committee, through capacity development for sub-committees located in various governorates on implementing the strategy to Prevent Violent Extremism in Iraq, as well as the establishment of interfaith religious leader networks across Iraqi governorates on Preventing Violent Extremism. UNDP Iraq Resident Representative Zena Ali-Ahmad states, “The establishment of a Network for Religious Leaders builds on UNDP Iraq’s support to the Government of Iraq in preventing violent extremism, with an integrated and comprehensive approach related to engagement with a cross-section of Iraqi society including religious leaders, youth, and civil society. It will strengthen social cohesion in Iraq.” Mr. Ali Abdullah Albedeiri, Chairman of the National Committee on the implementation of the National Strategy to Prevent Violent Extremism, states, “The national committee gives priority to the influential role of religious leaders in society, which will be further enhanced through the network in spreading moderate discourse and will contribute to the implementation of the strategy.” “There is a consensus among different religious sects on the need for this network. This session will provide important recommendations to proceed in forming a network to work on Preventing Violent Extremism,” states Ali Al-Qarawi, from the AlHussein Holy Shrine. “The meeting today on establishing the network has been open and transparent to advocate for moderate speech and combatting hate speech. The goal of the network is to monitor, analyse, and respond to hate speech that leads to conflict,” says Mohammed Salah Rashad, from the Sunni Endowment. “Today’s initiative was a first step in establishing the network to support the strategy on Preventing Violent Extremism in Iraq. We agreed on mobilizing our communities to prevent violent extremism,” states Dr. Ihsan Jafar, from the Shia Endowment. “Today we discussed several ideas and recommendations, and we are optimistic that we will implement good initiatives under this network to prevent violent extremism before it happens,” says Raad Jabbar, from the Minorities Endowment. Support to the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in Iraq is part of UNDP’s Social Cohesion Programme to promote stronger, peaceful, and more cohesive communities in all areas of Iraq. Media contact: Miriam Pineau, Communication Analyst | miriam.pineau@undp.org | +964 790 110 1982

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