9.4 Vision and development objectives of Iraq’s Bioeconomy
Iraq Vision 2030: A Comprehensive Plan
Iraq Vision 2030 is a comprehensive plan that aims to make Iraq a prosperous country. It establishes clear targets and goals covering a range of industries vital to the development of the nation. In order to offer strategic direction and technical assistance for the development of the KRG Vision 2030, the United Nations Development Programmed (UNDP) and the Ministry of Planning in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing ceremony held on February 3, 2020 in Erbil, is a testament to the Region’s dedication to accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Enhanced public services, job creation, and economic diversification are some of these objectives.
The World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) approved for Iraq for the fiscal years 2022–2026 outlines key developmental objectives and strategic interventions to support the country’s progress. Here’s a breakdown:
Response to the Pandemic: The CPF aims to aid Iraq in responding effectively to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes strategies for healthcare, economic recovery, and social support mechanisms.
Economic Reforms: The framework intends to assist Iraq in implementing reforms to strengthen its economy. This could involve policies to diversify revenue sources, enhance productivity, and attract investments for sustainable economic growth.
Human Capital Development: Another crucial aspect is the focus on building and improving human capital. This likely involves initiatives to enhance education, healthcare, and skills training to bolster the country’s workforce and overall development.
Pillars and Strategic Interventions
Improved Governance and Public Service Delivery: This pillar is likely geared towards enhancing governance structures, ensuring efficient public service delivery, and fostering private sector participation. This could involve reforms in governance, public administration, and policies to encourage private sector engagement for economic growth.
Strengthened Human Capital: The second pillar emphasizes investing in the development of human capital. This includes efforts to improve education, healthcare, and skills training programs. It may also involve initiatives to promote gender equality, citizen engagement, and address climate change concerns.
Within these pillars, the CPF integrates corporate priorities such as citizen engagement, gender equality, and climate change. This means that while focusing on governance, public service delivery, and human capital, these critical elements will be mainstreamed across all interventions.
4. Implementation Approach:
The CPF outlines a phased implementation plan, divided into two phases over the five-year period. This approach allows flexibility in adapting to changes and emerging needs within Iraq’s developmental landscape. Overall, the CPF for Iraq emphasizes comprehensive development strategies addressing immediate challenges such as the pandemic, economic reforms, and human capital enhancement. It’s structured to support governance improvements, private sector involvement, and holistic human development while embedding critical aspects like citizen engagement, gender equality, and climate change across all initiatives. The phased implementation strategy offers adaptability to ensure effective responses to evolving situations during the five-year period.