Baghdad-INA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in cooperation with Ministry of Youth and Sports, reaffirmed on Thursday their support for the development of a national action plan under Iraq's Youth, Peace and Security Strategy, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that, in partnership with Iraq's Ministry of Youth and Sports and in coordination with relevant ministries, and with support from UNFPA's regional office, it had organized a consultative workshop to discuss preparations for the implementation plan of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.
The workshop, held in the holy city of Karbala, aimed to strengthen coordination among national sectors to develop an implementation plan for Iraq's Youth, Peace and Security Strategy, the statement said.
Ali Fadhil Al-Difaie, Adviser for Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, stressed the importance of young people and their role in reconstruction and development, according to the statement. He highlighted their significant contribution in confronting violent extremism during the humanitarian crisis Iraq experienced.
Speaking on behalf of the UNFPA Representative, Mahdi Al-Allaq reaffirmed the fund's commitment to working closely with national partners to support the development of the national action plan. He underscored the importance of ensuring that the plan is sector-specific and implementable, while emphasizing the significance of Iraq's youth population as reflected in the results of the 2024 national census.
For his part, Amir Malik Al-Shibli, Director General of the Coordination and Follow-up Department at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, outlined the details of the National Youth, Peace and Security Strategy and highlighted the prominent role played by various sectors in drafting the strategy.
He also reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to completing the development and approval of the action plan to ensure national ownership and to deliver strategic, high-quality programs that promote youth participation and strengthen their role in this field, the statement said.
The statement noted that the initiative contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iraq (2025–2029) by promoting inclusive governance, social cohesion, and the meaningful participation of young people in peace building and development efforts.
It added that the initiative is also aligned with UNFPA's Fourth Country Programme for Iraq (2025–2029), which focuses on empowering young women and men, enhancing their meaningful participation in policymaking and decision-making processes, and supporting their role as active partners in advancing peace and sustainable development.
The statement added that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the U.N. agency responsible for reproductive health, with a mission to achieve a world in which every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
The statement concluded that UNFPA in Iraq works in partnership with government institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners to improve reproductive health services, prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, empower young people, and promote the use of population data to support sustainable development as well as evidence-based policymaking and decision-making.