Baghdad: Baghdad hosted a national technical workshop on Sunday focused on methodologies for establishing an integrated national registry and a civil registration and vital statistics system (CRVS). The workshop was organized in partnership between the Central Statistical Organization, the Kurdistan Region Statistics Authority, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Representatives from ministries and national bodies, the public and private sectors, United Nations organizations, and a high-level delegation from the Sultanate of Oman attended.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, this workshop is a pivotal step following the completion of the 2024 population and housing census and is part of Iraq's move towards digital transformation and building modern data systems. Participants emphasized the importance of continued coordination among partners, developing an implementation roadmap, and strengthening regional and international cooperation.

Hind Jalal, UNFPA Representative in Iraq, stated during the workshop's opening session on Sunday, "This workshop represents a major milestone in the process of building a modern national registry system. Integrated registries are not merely a technical project but a fundamental basis for developing government services, enhancing transparency, and promoting data-driven planning. UNFPA will continue its support to Iraq in achieving this vision."

For his part, Maher Al-Fahdawi, representative of the Ministry of Planning, stated that "building the integrated national registry is a strategic priority for Iraq, as it is fundamental to improving public services, enhancing planning efficiency, and transitioning to a record-based census." Khalifa bin Abdullah Al-Barwani, CEO of the National Centre for Statistics and Information in the Sultanate of Oman, remarked, "The Sultanate of Oman's experience has proven that integrated national registries are the cornerstone of digital government, and we are proud to offer our expertise to support Iraq in its journey towards building a modern data system that serves both the citizen and the state."

Participants discussed international best practices, data exchange mechanisms, digital integration points, and the institutional requirements for the success of the unified national system under the slogan: "Your Document, Your Identity, Your Future."