Baghdad: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mohammed Ali Tamim, chaired a joint meeting of the Follow-up Cell and the National Committee for Sustainable Development in Iraq today. In his speech, the Minister announced that Iraq will chair the eleventh session of the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development for the first time, to be held in Beirut, Lebanon, in mid-April.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Minister highlighted Iraq’s key international obligations, including submitting the third voluntary report on sustainable development to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York this July. This report will address progress made in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on responsible investment, reconstruction, and justice amidst Iraq’s state of stability and progress.

The Minister further discussed Iraq’s upcoming presidency of the Arab Group at the United Nations High-Level Forum, succeeding its presidency of the Arab Summit in Baghdad in May and the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development. He emphasized the progress in Iraq’s 2030 Vision, noting declines in poverty and unemployment and improvements in health and education. The Minister urged members of the Follow-up Cell, the National Committee, and specialized teams to work collaboratively to achieve these goals and enhance Iraq’s sustainable development standing regionally and globally.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Planning for Technical Affairs, Maher Hammad Johan, provided an overview of the third voluntary report’s main themes and the roles required of involved parties. Dhiaa Awad Kadhim, head of the General Authority for Statistics and Geographic Information Systems, underscored the importance of statistical data from the population census and socio-economic surveys in reinforcing the report’s themes and highlighting Iraq’s positive changes.

The meeting saw participation from Undersecretaries, Directors General, non-ministerial representatives, and a group of experts and specialists.