UN-HABITAT and six United Nations agencies have teamed up with the Government of Iraq to launch a new initiative aimed at boosting the capacities of local authorities to carry through development plans in partnership with the private sector and local communites. The programme will be conducted in Sulaymaniyah, Babel, and the Marshlands in a bid to stimulate local economic development and improve local infrastructure and basic services, the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said in a news release. The announcement said the pilot phase is operating on a contribution of $30 million from the European Commission channelled through the UN Development Group Iraq Trust Fund and should offer lessons to guide expansion of the programme to other areas. The other agencies involved are the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), World Health Organization (WHO), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). |
