Baghdad: The Baghdad Municipality has officially submitted its candidacy file to join UNESCO's Media and Information Literacy Cities Initiative, marking a significant achievement in Iraq's efforts to promote digital inclusion, critical thinking, and cultural awareness in the information age.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, this achievement comes after nearly two years of joint efforts between the Baghdad Municipality, the Communications and Information Sector, and the UNESCO Iraq Office, where they worked together to prepare Baghdad's nomination file as a leading city in the field of media and information literacy.

The submission of this nomination coincides with the World Media and Information Literacy Week and World Cities Day, under the slogan "Media and Information Literacy Cities: Connecting Communities through Information and Cultures."

The International MIL Cities Event, organized by UNESCO and its partners, will take place on Monday, October 27, 2025, as part of the global celebration linking World Cities Day (October 31) and World MIL Week (October 24-31).

This event will highlight how cities around the world are integrating MIL, culture, education, and digital innovation into their urban policies, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4.7, 11, and 16).

By joining this global network, Baghdad seeks to establish itself as a regional leader in promoting media and information literacy, leveraging its rich cultural heritage and emerging digital innovation ecosystem.

This initiative also aims to empower local communities to use information and technology for peacebuilding, civic engagement, and sustainable urban development.

The Baghdad Municipality and UNESCO held a gathering of specialized elites at Al-Jawahiri Heritage House in Baghdad, where Baghdad's nomination file was officially submitted to the relevant UNESCO program. This event embodies Iraq's commitment to building an enlightened, inclusive, and resilient digital society.