Baghdad: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Dr. Mohammed Ali Tamim, received the new UNDP Resident Representative in Iraq, Titon Mitra, and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, aspects of joint cooperation between the two sides were discussed in various fields, particularly development, to contribute to supporting the government’s efforts to achieve the goals of the five-year development plan 2024-2028.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Minister emphasized that the plan is based on three main pillars: challenges, reality, and the government program. He explained that its goal is to transform challenges into development opportunities, particularly with regard to confronting climate change, capitalizing on the demographic dividend, diversifying energy sources, and reforming the public sector.

He pointed out that the government has completed strategic projects in the areas of services and infrastructure. Projects in the water and sanitation sectors were implemented at a cost exceeding 8 trillion dinars in one year, while efforts are being made to reuse wastewater in tree planting to reduce desertification and combat sand dunes.

He added that the government is paying great attention to the education sector by establishing colleges and universities, adopting modern scientific methods, and empowering the private sector to be an effective partner in development.

For his part, Mitra praised the development movement taking place in Iraq, stressing the UNDP’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts in implementing the five-year development plan, particularly in the areas of environmental protection, combating climate change, and harnessing the potential of youth. He emphasized the program’s continued support to Iraq in accordance with the cooperation protocols signed between the two sides.