United Nations and Government of Iraq Deliver Transformative Results for Sustainable Development in 2024

The report marks the conclusion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020–2024 and reflects the collective impact of 23 UN agencies partnering with national institutions, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to address Iraq’s most urgent challenges while laying the foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.

In 2024, joint UN–Government efforts delivered impactful results across five priority areas:

1. Social Cohesion, Protection and Inclusion: Nearly 285,000 children, women, and families accessed child protection and domestic violence response services. Housing rehabilitation supported 2,695 returnee families, while 209 community policing initiatives-built trust between law enforcement and residents. Peacebuilding advanced through the engagement of 416 women and youth in Local Peace Committees, driving reconciliation and promoting peaceful coexistence in conflict-affected areas.
2. Economic Growth for All: The UN boosted inclusive economic opportunities by creating 1,300 jobs and 62,000 worker days in Nineveh and Duhok. Livelihood support packages strengthened resilience for 8,209 households, while 7,539 job-seekers - 29% women - were linked to employment through service centres. To stimulate local economies, $7 million in grants helped 540 SMEs expand, while the renovation of 50 dairy centres created 730 jobs. Additionally, 465 entrepreneurs were trained by UN-certified trainers to start or grow businesses.
3. Effective, Inclusive and Efficient Institutions and Services: The UN supported Iraq’s first national census in over three decades, a milestone for data-driven policy and equitable resource allocation. Education services improved for 1.5 million children - 53% girls - through the school-based management model, while 47% of 290,418 identified out-of-school children re-enrolled through the Back-to-Learning Campaign. In the Kurdistan Region, 158,000 displaced children gained access to sustainable education. In health, seven national information systems strengthened planning, and 200 facilities adopted the WASHFIT framework to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
4. Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience: Efforts to safeguard resources and address climate change included installing over 548,000 smart water meters in 15 governorates and reclaiming 2,700 dunums of drought-affected farmland, boosting crop yields by 20%. Training reached 1,812 farmers and officials, while 2,500 farmers adopted conservation agriculture and agroecology practices. Youth engagement saw 1,000 young people contribute to climate research and local solutions to water scarcity. Improved sanitation and eco-friendly wastewater treatment benefitted 56,000 health workers and patients in 11 facilities.
5. Durable Solutions to Displacement: Over 40,000 displaced Iraqis obtained civil documentation, securing access to public services. Land tenure was provided to 6,110 minority community members - 48% women - while 1.4 million m² of land was cleared of explosive ordnance for farming, housing, and infrastructure. Livelihood assistance supported 39,231 returnees, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and 2,364 households voluntarily returned, relocated, or reintegrated in areas such as Mosul, Sinjar, Ba’aj, and Amiriya Al Fallujah.

The report also highlights the critical role of the Federal Government, the Kurdistan Regional Government, local authorities, and civil society organizations in implementing initiatives that reflect Iraq’s diverse needs and priorities.

The UNCT expressed deep appreciation to all donors whose generous support made these results possible, enabling the UN to mobilize over US$ 424 million in 2024, channeling resources into high-impact programs that improve lives and strengthen communities across Iraq.

As Iraq and the UNCT prepare to launch the new UNSDCF for 2025–2029, the focus will remain on accelerating progress toward the SDGs through six key transitions: equality, investment, urbanization, energy, food systems, and digital transformation. “The results in this report are not an end point - they are a platform for deeper, faster action,” said Mr. Ghulam Isaczai, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Iraq. “Together with the Government of Iraq, our partners, and the people we serve, we are committed to building a future of stability, opportunity, and dignity for all Iraqis.”