MTR/CCA/ UNDAF WORKSHOP 22-23 June 2009, BAGHDAD Government of Iraq Overview of UN Contributions to Iraq’s National Priorities Review of UN Iraq Assistance

MTR/CCA/ UNDAF WORKSHOP22-23 June 2009 , BAGHDAD

Government of IraqOverview of UN Contributions to

Iraq’s National Priorities

Review of UN Iraq Assistance Strategy2008-2010


Presentation Outline

• Changing context in Iraq

• GoI perspective of UN sectoral contributions and achievements in 2008-2009

• GoI recommendations to the United Nations Country Team


Iraq’s Development Vision

• NDS Mission (2007-10): “Transform Iraq into a peaceful, unified federal democracy and a prosperous, market oriented regional economic powerhouse that is fully integrated into the global economy”

• ICI Mission: “To build a secure, unified, federal and democratic nation, founded on the principles of freedom and equality, and providing peace and prosperity for its people”


Development vision …Cont’d

• UNCT Mission (2008-10): “To strengthen Iraq to implement the NDS/ ICI and meet the needs of the most vulnerable by being a trusted proactive partner, accountable for high quality tangible results, and focusing on agreed outcome areas”.


Iraq in Context

• Security and political environment in Iraq is changing rapidly for the better despite many prevailing challenges

• Status of Forces Agreement

• National Development Plan to replace the NDS with a vision that promises a comprehensive and holistic development taking Iraq to new economic frontiers

• International Compact with Iraq is being revised to reflect emerging challenges, needs and priorities


Iraq in Context…Cont’d

• In line with Paris Declaration Principles, the Government of Iraq anticipates strategic engagement with the international community, World Bank and the UN to ensure

– National ownership – Harmonization– Alignment– Accountability– Effective management of development results and priorities

• The UN Iraq Assistance Strategy 2008-10 is a joint UN-GoI effort to address Iraqi needs as stated in the NDS and the ICI


National Priorities NDS/ ICI/ MDGs

UN Iraq Assistance Strategy 2008-10

Education Agriculture &Food Security

Water & Sanitation

ProtectionHousing &

Shelter

Health & Nutrition

Governance

Economic Recovery & Diversification

Human Rights

Emergency preparedness

Security

Employment

Gender

Environment

Crosscutting areas


Overview of UN Contributions & Achievements (2008-2009): The GoI Perspective

• Expansion in UNCT presence inside Iraq• Effective UN and NGO coordination and governance

mechanisms via its 8 sector outcome teams with a pronounced engagement of Iraqi counterparts (ISRB, line ministries) at strategic, technical and operational levels

• Greater national ownership of UN supported programmes and projects with greater alignment with ICI and NDS

• Shift towards capacity development, soft assistance and technical guidance to enable Iraqis lead their own development

• Active UN engagement in national planning processes including MDG-based planning, Poverty Reduction Strategy with World Bank and National Development Plan with USAID

• Significant achievements and contributions in all 8 sectors


Civic participation with a high turnout, election of 25% women to Provincial Councils and a remarkable level of citizen security before, during and after balloting

Progressive civil society engagement in national dialogue process for reconciliation and national unity

Improvements in rule of Law and Human Rights

Strengthened Institutional and Regulatory Frameworks

Strengthened governance institutions and processes for political inclusion, accountability,

rule of law and efficient service delivery


Development of National Education Strategy

Enhanced access to schools;Non-formal learning opportunities for out of school children and illiterate young people

Improved technical and educational capacities of MOE , MOEHE, communities and students

Increased access of students to quality education programmes

Humanitarian education interventions for IDPs and refugees

Improved access to essential social services and assistance to vulnerable groups


Supported Primary Health Care Approach to further strengthen Iraqi Health Care System.

Scaling up of Child and Maternal Health

Community Mobilization and Women Health Volunteers for EPI and MCH initiatives respectively

Initiation of Health System Reform

Improved national capacities for Emergency Response and Preparedness.

Supported women employment by ensuring that at least 20% of job opportunities are devoted to women.

Improved performance of the Iraqi health system and equal access to services, with special emphasis on vulnerable, marginalized and excluded persons


1.3 million people with improved access to safe water.

About 300,000 people with improved sanitation services.

Increased technical knowledge on various water and sanitation related topics with 32% of women participation.

Rehabilitating and supplying water and wastewater quality control laboratories.

Humanitarian assistance provided to 1.4 million vulnerable Iraqis across the country.

Employment creation as part of implementation of programmes

Improved and equitable access to water and sanitation services


Improved access to essential shelter and housing services to vulnerable groups

Strengthened Policy and Institutional Environment for achieving ‘Adequate Housing for All’

Improved access of Vulnerable Families to Shelter

Improved national capacities towards housing sector reforms

Improved access to the National Housing Fund especially for poor and vulnerable households

Governorate pilot initiatives to develop local strategies for housing and slum improvement.

Generation of local employment


Strengthened Agricultural Policy

Rehabilitation and enhancement of production systems (Irrigation infrastructure, small enterprises, date production, fishery sector)

Improved institutional capacity of line ministries (MoA, MoWR and MoI)

Employment opportunities for vulnerable groups

Enabling environment created for sustaining agricultural development and food security


8 governorates monitoring the impact of food distribution through Food Security Units

GoI better able to undertake contingency and emergency response planning in response to food insecurity

Provision of emergency food rations to affected populations

Local and International NGOs provided food assistance to 85,267 individuals under the Emergency Response Fund.

Improved food security and access to food to vulnerable population groups


Legislations, Policiesand Codes developed/reviewed

Increased knowledge ofhuman rights and international humanitarian law

Vulnerable groups provided with access to protection services (legal and social)

Consolidated systems for monitoring and reporting on protection issues established

Iraqi Mine Action operational capacity strengthened, awareness raised and land cleared of mines

Strengthened protection system and services


Private Sector Development

Job creation and development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Strengthened Public Financial Management system

Support to Energy and Electricity Sector

Sustainable, socially inclusive and gender-balanced economic reform and development in Iraq


GoI Expectations from UNCT Iraq

1. Maintain the strategic partnership, engagement, and coordination mechanisms with Iraqi partners for sustained development impact

2. Continue support towards policy, regulatory and institutional reforms, decentralization and private sector development

3. Continue to focus on Capacity Development including systems strengthening and development based on thorough capacity assessment to address the gaps and to allow Iraq to guide capacity development process

4. Integrate sustainability dimension with a clear exit strategy in every UN supported development programmes


GoI Expectations…cont’d

5. Need for coherent, harmonized and unified UN response in Iraq by furthering the existing coordination mechanisms and strategic and technical engagement with ISRB and line ministries in programme design and planning

6. Increased presence of the UNCT inside Iraq has enhanced collaboration and partnership – more visibility is expected

7. Need to factor in thorough risk assessment and risk mitigation strategies in planning, design and management of development programmes

8. Support for improved accountability and management of results in line with Paris Declaration


GoI Expectations…cont’d

9. Support the NDP process to ensure strategic alignment between NDP and UNDAF in partnership with national counterparts

10. Quality of programme documents has improved, there is still room for improvement especially for evidence-based planning

11. Gender mainstreaming is much needed to overcome gender disparities in Iraq. UN should continue its emphasis on gender sensitive planning and reporting

Documents

MTR/CCA/ UNDAF WORKSHOP 22-23 June 2009, BAGHDAD Government of Iraq Overview of UN Contributions to Iraq’s National Priorities Review of UN Iraq Assistance