Watch video of panel where the VNR was presented

Main Messages

The Republic of Iraq, with its deep culture and history, embraces an ambitious development reality that seeks to achieve high-quality and sustainable human development for its citizens. It is a path engraved in the country's 2005 constitution as well as in its long-term national development vision, based on strong national partnerships and commitment to implementing, monitoring, and tracking Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reporting on progress made. It is backed by strong political will, integrated planning, and supportive legal frameworks.

The "Safe Society" approach was adopted within the framework of strong national coordination and monitoring of the SDGs, which have been translated into medium-term national development plans, as well as strategies and development policies, taking into consideration the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.

However, the most difficult task in this path is maintaining the delicate balance between reality and ambition and the need to meet the demands for competing priorities of millions of Iraqis. The SDGs have helped Iraq to compare our reality at home with the outside context, as well as to review national plans and re-examine our approach in Iraq- Our vision extends beyond healing wounds, to addressing quality of life, societal cohesion, our human and social capital, and how to preserve our heritage for future generations.

The main challenge is keeping to a vision based on reality, examining the historic path and gaps and establishing indicators for achieving sustainable development. Our review, through the national voluntary reports, charts progress made, while highlighting achievements and challenges, drawing lessons learned, and defining next steps, which will determine the development path of the federal and local governments.

It must be recognized that we do not have all the levers of development, and that sustainable development cannot be achieved through government efforts alone, but requires the complementarity with the efforts of the civil society and the private sector.

Internal messages

Young people are the engine of change and a tool for attaining development

• • The popular youth movement is a declaration of change towards a new social contract (the state and society).
• • Youth represent the demographic gift that is qualified to drive change, rehabilitation and participation.
• • Active citizenship (embracing diversity, enhancing participation, and preserving rights and privacy).

Create positive competition at the local level (governmental and society)

• • Driving inspiration for advancing development nationally and locally to enhance constructive competition.
• • Decentralization to promote equality and justice.
• • Integrated planning and policy coherence to promote participatory approach and sustainable local development (spatial development)

Leave no one behind (solidarity among development partners in light of COVID19 crisis).

• • Containing the complex (health-economic) crisis and mitigating its impact on vulnerable groups is the responsibility of the State.
• • Solidarity between development partners will enhance social protection and security in times of crisis.
• • The developmental roles and functions of civil society and the private sector are success stories in social cohesion.

External messages

Persistence to remain on track (sustain the momentum of the development)

• • Responding to the challenges posed by changing global and local realities.
• • Absorbing the crisis positively by maintaining the paths towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
• • Continue to build resilience in the face of crisis.

International partnerships are a sign of solidarity in times of crisis

• • Belief in a global partnership that enhances human security.
• • International partnerships are an opportunity to build knowledge and share experiences.
• • Partnerships will ensure equal opportunities between countries through international solidarity to decrease the suffering of the least developed countries.

Key Messages 2019

When the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were adopted in September 2015 by all Member States of the United Nations, Iraq was busy fighting terrorist groups and handling the repercussions of the falling global crude oil prices. Nevertheless, Iraqis never stopped aspiring to a better future.

This first Voluntary National Review (VNR) report to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) testifies to this commitment. It showcases the experience of a strong nation which chose life and development and relied on its people despite the hardships they went through; which never stopped aspiring to sustainable development even during war and its noise; which shows determination and ambition while acknowledging that exceptional efforts are required to achieve the needed balance between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, sustain peace and protect the rights of all people and future generations, ensuring that no-one is left behind.

While acting the main implementer and coordinator of the implementation of the SDGs, in line with Iraq Vision 2030, the Government of Iraq firmly believes that their implementation represents an opportunity to empower a wider group of national actors, enhance national dialogue and strengthen partnerships on a wider scale and is committed to support initiatives implemented by civil society organizations, universities, trade unions, and other stakeholders.

This review is the outcome of a series of consultations, which helped gather valuable insights on priorities and challenges from inter-alia, the academia, civil society, the private sector, women, young people and the parliament.

The Ministry of Planning serves as the focal point for coordinating, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. It has established a National Committee for Sustainable Development to coordinate economic, social and environmental action among national and local government actors as well as with the private sector, civil society and local and international organizations to ensure that all groups and regions of Iraq can participate in and benefit from development progress. The Ministry strives to promote awareness and ownership of the SDGs and their integration in national and subnational plans, while eliciting support from development partners for their implementation.

This review focuses on advances and challenges with the implementation of Iraq Vision 2030 priorities and related SDGs namely, human development (SDGs 1, SDG3, SDG4 and SDG5), good governance and safe society (SDG16), economic diversification (SDG8 and SDG9), sustainable environment (SDG6, SDG11 and SDG13). These are being implemented through various plans and strategies, including Iraq National Development Plan (NDP, 2018 – 2022) and Iraq Governmental Program. The report shows for instance that the NDP aligns with more than 70% of the SDG targets.

Data limitations, including the lack of disaggregated data, place huge constraints on SDG monitoring (with close to 70% of SDG indicators currently missing). However, available data shows improvements in enrollment ratios, fertility rates, and child and maternal mortality. Poverty experienced a relative decline, despite a significant rise in poverty rates during the crisis. Efforts are being made to expand the coverage of social protection programs for the poor and vulnerable. Efforts to promote women’s empowerment and reduce violence against women have led to some improvement in gender related indicators, although much remains to be done in terms of improving women’s participation.

Important steps have also been taken towards improving governance and the rule of law, including through administrative decentralization, the establishment of a high anti-corruption council, and reforms of the financial management and service delivery systems. Iraq also seeks to create an enabling environment for the private sector, which, coupled with the implementation of mega-projects, is expected to transform Iraq’s development path, including reducing Iraq’s reliance on oil.

Confronted to a dire water crisis, Iraq strives to promote a more efficient management of water resources, and to restore environmental sustainability in its vast marshlands.

Clearly, Iraq still faces many challenges on the road to sustainable development. The Government facilitated the return of than two-thirds of the population displaced by the crisis but close to 2 million people have not yet returned to their home. The reconstruction burden is estimated at USD 88.2 billion. Iraq has yet to secure political stability, strengthen national dialogue and establish inclusive and accountable governance frameworks at federal and local levels. Iraq needs to deal with significant demographic pressures, the water crisis and the effects of climate change. However, all these challenges shall motivate us to accelerate efforts with greater determination and expand partnerships to consolidate gains, while learning from past failures.