Ahead of the Second World Development Summit, Iraq And The UN Support Key Commitments To Enhance Social Protection
Baghdad / NINA /- The Iraqi government, in cooperation with the United Nations, concluded a two-day national consultation aimed at developing Iraq’s national contribution to the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, from November 4 to 6, 2025.
The consultations were organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Planning and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Iraq, with technical support from the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Participants included representatives from the European Union, one of Iraq’s key international partners in supporting social protection programs, as well as officials from the Ministries of Planning, Labor and Social Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Education, Youth and Sports, and Environment.
The consultations concluded with a set of commitments and recommendations to strengthen Iraq’s social protection system, serving as a roadmap for the country’s participation in the upcoming summit.
Minister of Planning Mohammed Tamim affirmed that “Iraq is heading to the global summit with a unified national vision rooted in social justice, expanding opportunities for youth and women, and strengthening state institutions to serve all citizens, in cooperation with the United Nations and international partners.”
For his part, Ghulam Mohammad Isaczai, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, emphasized the importance of these consultations in shaping a shared national vision, saying: “Iraq is now heading to Doha with one strong, unified voice that reflects its achievements and aspirations for the future.”
This national effort embodies Iraq’s leadership in promoting comprehensive social protection as a cornerstone for eradicating poverty and fostering social inclusion. The country’s participation comes at a pivotal moment, which is thirty years after the landmark Copenhagen Summit of 1995, and as the world renews its commitment to inclusive social development.
At the summit, Iraq will present key reforms, including efforts to reduce poverty and expand social safety nets to cover more than 7.6 million beneficiaries, along with the ratification of ILO Convention No. 102. Other major achievements include the adoption of a new pension and social security law aligned with international standards and the doubling of social security coverage within four years, underscoring Iraq’s leadership in rights-based reform.
Building on its long-standing experience managing one of the world’s largest food distribution systems, Iraq’s new vision focuses on supporting children, women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
The United Nations system and its partners will continue to provide technical support to Iraq throughout the preparatory phase and during the summit, including participation in a high-level event titled “From Reform to Impact: Governments Paving the Way for a New Era of Universal Social Protection for Food Security and Nutrition,” to be held on November 4, 2025, co-led by the Republic of Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
This event will highlight Iraq’s pioneering experience in social protection reform and its efforts to strengthen food security and nutrition, which are the two fundamental pillars of inclusive and sustainable development. /End
