Sulaymaniyah, 14 March 2019– The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in cooperation with the Electoral Team of United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) organized a strategic planning workshop as part of the continues support to the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).

The workshop attended by members of the Board of Commissioners and IHEC representatives to define the strategic direction for the next five years, the workshop provided practical guidance on Strategic challenges and Formulation of Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles of the IHEC, and presented successful examples from other countries.

“In defining the future strategic direction of the institution, it is important to reflect and learn from the lessons of previous experiences, and to formulate goals and objectives that are responsive to the demands of electoral stakeholders”. said the Deputy Special Representative for Iraq of the United Nations Secretary-General (DSRSG) Ms. Alice Walpole.

Chairman of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) Mr. Maan Al-Hetawi said: “We are determined to develop our capacities, improve the electoral processes and continue our efforts to build a trust with the stakeholders supported by UNDP and UNAMI”.

The workshop concluded with a first draft of the strategic plan developed by the attendees, it will be reviewed and finalized by IHEC experts to reach the final version of the strategic plan.

Launched in 2018, the Support to Iraq’s Electoral Process Project aims to implement interventions that facilitate the IHEC’s progress towards becoming a professional, credible and transparent election management body capable of conducting elections that are accepted by all segments of Iraqi society. The project interventions are implemented along supporting parliamentary and provincial election operational planning and implementation, Consolidating IHEC capacities and strengthen institutional effectiveness and promoting inclusive and effective stakeholder engagement.

For additional information, please contact:

Ms. Israa Mansour, Communications Assistant, (m): +964 772 260 0576