New partnership between Iraq and Japan’s International Cooperation Agency announced

The government of Iraq is implementing a new partnership between The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with a loan from the JICA to help improve living conditions in Iraq. With Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans, the government of Iraq aims to advance infrastructure development in Iraq. The city of Basra has a deteriorating water supply, however, with the new ODA loan, it will help provide access to a reliable and clean source of water to local residents through the Basra Grand Water Project. The Deralok Hydropower Plant in Duhok Governorate, north of Iraq, supplying power, will work towards reducing Iraq’s carbon emissions caused by fuel-operated powerplants.

In a press release, UNDP Iraq Resident Representative Zena Ali-Ahmad said: “For over 14 consecutive years, JICA and UNDP have partnered to support the government to improve socio-economic conditions for Iraqi communities through reliable public service delivery. We will continue to support the Government of Iraq in laying down the foundation for sustainable growth in key public sectors, with a focus on electricity infrastructure, water and sanitation, health, oil, and transportation.” 

JICA Iraq Chief Representative YONEDA Gen said: “We have been working with the Government of Iraq to deliver basic infrastructure and Japanese knowledge to Iraqi people over a decade. Although we have faced many difficulties, including unstable security conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, some large projects were successfully completed in 2022, which shows a notable progress of JICA projects. Our partnership with UNDP has greatly contributed to this achievement during the implementation stage”.

JICA and UNDP aim to improve the national infrastructure in Iraq including public services, and private sector developments as well as collectively working towards hitting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

IMAGE CREDIT: UNDP