Roles and Responsibilities of the Private Sector to Achieve Iraq's 2030 Agenda

June 2, 2019

By Sundus Abbas

From the prospective point of view of the SDGs and the global 2030 Agenda, the private sector has played as a key role in development, in addition to other roles which are not limited to job creation, paying taxes and developing technology, but it is about defining and shaping the nature and direction of the economy in a world where economic growth is sometimes achieved along with inequality and prosperity with environmental damage and the absence of social justice.

As part of the consultation process on the preliminary version of first Iraq Voluntary National Reviews (VNR), and launching of the Iraq vision 2030, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Planning has organized a consultation session on May 16, 2019, with effectively engagement of 52 experts and representatives from the private sector, to discuss the expected roles and responsibilities of the private sector in the implementation stages of Iraq vision 2030.

The Ministry of Planning highlighted the importance of this event as the private sector has played a key role in Iraq in terms of poverty reduction and promoting economic development. As described by the Deputy of Ministry of Planning Mr. Maher Johan: “The private sector role has gone beyond funding, as the private companies have created 90% of jobs opportunities - which is the most effective way to end up poverty in our current developing world, It has also facilitated the improvement of efficiency, introduction of technology, creativity and the distribution of goods and services”. said Mr. Johan.

After presenting the main elements of the first Iraq VNR and Iraq vision 2030, different ideas were discussed during the session to actively engage the private sector in achieving Iraq vision 2030. Private companies may contribute in many ways to achieving sustainable development goals, but they do so in a random manner that is not organized under an appropriate headline or goal.

By developing smart, comprehensive and specific strategies, private companies can receive recognition for their efforts, and even help governments develop real budgets and clear funding plans for sustainable development goals.

The session has been closed with key recommendations on the roles of the private sector in this stage starting with aligning the core business strategies with SDGs; changing the vision of institutions; contributing to the financing of priority objectives within the sustainable development agenda; strengthen relations between the government and other parties whom involved in the development process and ensure accountability and transparency.

it is not only a matter of change in the discussion of sustainable development goals and the implementation of projects similar to corporate social responsibility, but there is a need for a comprehensive assessment regarding the meaning of sustainable development goals for a private sector strategy that can develop a more ethical economic model, where the well-being of people and the environment is the primary objective of engaging in the implementation of sustainable development goals.

For additional information, please contact:
Sundus Abbas, SDGs Project Manager – UNDP Iraq (m): +964 (0) 780 197 6464