Baghdad: Finance Minister Faleh Sari affirmed on Tuesday that the gradual transition from a line-item budgeting system to a program and performance budget represents a significant shift in resource management by linking spending to objectives and results and measuring the actual impact of projects and programs.

According to Iraqi News Agency (INA), a statement from the Ministry indicated that “Finance Minister Faleh Sari received a delegation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), headed by the organization’s representative in Iraq, Christian Skoog, to discuss areas of cooperation and support for programs and projects related to childhood in Iraq.”

The delegation presented a briefing on UNICEF’s work in Iraq, highlighting the programs and projects it implements in the areas of child protection, upholding their rights, and supporting education and social services related to childhood.

Sari expressed “his appreciation for the efforts exerted by UNICEF in Iraq,” indicating “the Ministry of Finance’s readiness to support the organization’s programs and projects related to child protection and to work on overcoming any obstacles that may hinder their implementation.”

According to the statement, Sari spoke about the ministry’s priorities in financial and administrative reform, explaining that “the gradual transition from a line-item budget system to a program and performance budget represents an important shift in resource management, by linking spending to goals and results and measuring the actual impact of projects and programs, which enhances spending efficiency and focuses resources towards priority sectors.”