Welcome to the United Nations
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.
