LocationsUNDP staff speak up on the Sustainable Development Goals in Iraq
May 15, 2023
Today, on International Day of Living Together in Peace, you are invited into UNDP’s offices in Baghdad. Here, our staff would like to share the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their eyes, and how they contribute to peace and development in Iraq.
The SDGs were established at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. These 17 universal goals were created to address the pressing environmental, political, and economic challenges facing our world today.
The United Nations in Iraq is dedicated to supporting the implementation of the SDGs to create a brighter and more peaceful future for all, aligned with Iraq’s Vision 2030.
Here are some of our passionate colleagues, each standing by the SDG they are working on. Let's hear their thoughts:
ROMANA, YAMA, SECURITY SECTOR REFORM AND RULE OF LAW - SDG 16: PEACE, JUSTICE, AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS:
"We feel privileged to support Iraq in Security Sector Reform, curbing corruption and strengthening the Rule of Law through UNDP’s broad programmatic offering. Peace, justice, and strong institutions are the foundation for Iraq’s sustainable development, stability and prosperity. With our capacity building activities for judges and law enforcement personnel and our work to strengthen transparency and accountability in all institutions we contribute to Iraq’s aim of achieving SDG 16.”
MAHAB, GOVERNANCE - SDG 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH:
“Proper economic and livelihood opportunities help to raise the standard of living in Iraqi communities. At UNDP, we rollout training programmes in areas where they are most needed and improve capacities of youth to ensure they are ready to enter the workforce.”
ABDUL BASET, GENDER - SDG 5: GENDER EQUALITY:
“Gender equality is not just a women’s issue. Women should be treated as equal members of society, with the same opportunities as men. Supporting women to reach their full potential through educational training and support to women-owned businesses is an important part of my work.”
SARA, SOCIAL COHESION – SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:
"Good health and well-being are key for resilient communities, and mental health is equally as important as physical health. Within our Social Cohesion Programme, we support community acceptance of internally displaced families by providing Mental Health and Psycho-social Support for both returnees and community members.”
MUSTAFA, ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SDG 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES:
“We work as one team, one community at UNDP in Iraq. Communities need to support each other, which is why safe and equal access to amenities is important. Working to ensure services such as functional infrastructure and safe drinking water are provided to Iraq's residents equally is one of our priorities.”
SARAH, ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, AND CLIMATE CHANGE SDG 13: CLIMATE ACTION:
“Here in Iraq, we see climate change every day. Dust storms, temperature changes, and drying bodies of water are affecting us all. Working as a part of the Environment and Climate Programme, I get to provide first-hand input on how we can work to help Iraqis combat and mitigate these changes.”
SAFA – ACCELERATOR LAB TEAM – SDG 9: INNOVATION, INDUSTRY & INFRASTRUCTURE:
“Innovation is vital to development, without a question. Through our work at the UNDP-Accelerator Lab, we encourage young people across Iraq to develop innovative solutions to local challenges. Now more than ever, we see youth using human-centered and creative approaches to incorporate innovation and sustainability in initiating startups across various industries. It’s through these dynamic ideas that Iraq will see progressive change.”
To read more about the United Nations Development Programme in Iraq: https://www.undp.org/iraq