Baghdad: The Ministry of Planning is discussing extending the joint social protection program between Iraq, the European Union, and the United Nations. The Steering Committee of the Joint Social Protection Program between the Iraqi government, the European Union, and the United Nations held its meeting today at the Ministry of Planning headquarters to discuss extending the joint social protection program in Iraq without additional cost.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the meeting was chaired by the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Technical Affairs, Maher Hammad Johaan. He emphasized the importance of reviewing the progress made in the program’s components and activities, as well as the achievements attained. The discussions addressed aspects related to extending the program without additional cost and the next steps.

He noted that the program achieved several accomplishments in its first phase, including the adoption of the National Social Protection Strategy, the establishment of the unified registry in federal Iraq with its continued integration with social protection programs, the completion of the 2021 Labor Force Survey, and ongoing work on the 2026 Labor Force Survey, in addition to the completion of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey.

He highlighted that the program aims to strengthen the social safety net and school feeding programs. The meeting also addressed the achievement of social security, active labor market programs, and digitalization, noting that the program is considered one of the important programs supporting development efforts in Iraq, given its direct impact on improving social welfare indicators and reducing poverty in the country.

Stephen Deferend, Director of the Social Protection Program at the European Union Delegation to Iraq, pointed to the importance of continued close coordination between international partners and national entities to ensure the achievement of the program’s objectives.

The Country Director of the World Food Programme in Iraq, representing the UN agencies, stated that the meeting is important and an opportunity to review the program’s progress. She added that the program has achieved significant milestones, including the adoption of the social protection strategy, the unified registry, digital transformation, and the labor market survey, indicating a commitment to implementing a social protection program that supports the economic engine.

She affirmed that UN agencies support the government’s participation in supporting reform initiatives under the umbrella of this program. The meeting included discussions on the agenda items, including a presentation on the progress made, remaining financial balances, and next steps.

The meeting was attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Huda Sajjad, the Head of the Social Protection Authority, Ahmed Al-Moussawi, and a number of directors-general from the Ministry of Planning and other relevant ministries and institutions, as well as representatives from the European Union, UNICEF, the International Labour Organization, and the World Food Programme.