Erbil, 02 February 2012 – The United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG)/ the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) for Iraq and the Minister of Planning in Kurdistan Region signed today the first cost-sharing agreement to undertake development programmes in line with the nationally agreed priorities under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2011-2014.  

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Kurdistan by His Excellency, Dr. Ali Sindi, Minister of Planning, and by Ms. Christine McNab, DSRSG/ RC, on behalf of the United Nations Country Team in Iraq.

“Kurdistan Government sees the UN as a pivotal and effective partner for the overall development of the people of Kurdistan Region. We value the knowledge, technical expertise and assistance that the UN brings in order to help the Kurdistan Government in achieving our development goals” Minister Sindi said. 

 “The UN welcomes the KRG decision to co-finance three UN initiatives under its 2011 Regional Budget. The formalization of this co-financing arrangement is indicative of KRG’s continued trust and confidence in the UN system to address key development priorities in accordance with the aspirations of the people and the Regional Government", DSRSG/RC McNab said. "This kind of partnership allows the United Nations to technically support the Government at national and regional levels in addressing national and regional priorities in sectors that will have a great impact on people’s daily lives” she added.

Under the agreement, the KRG is contributing USD 2,092,800 and the UN will contribute      USD 1,667,400 towards three programmes which include designing the Kurdistan Development Management System, the economic infrastructure needs assessment, and improving the housing delivery in Erbil. These development initiatives will contribute to the realization of Millennium Development Goals in Iraq with specific long term focus of improving the lives of people in the Kurdistan Region.

The UN has been an active development partner in the Kurdistan Region. “We appreciate at its highest value the first concerted effort and new partnership that paves way for further cost-sharing arrangements between the KRG and the UN  in 2012 in support to the UNDAF implementation. ”, Minister Sindi added.

“We believe that this agreement will set the basis for future national and regional cost-sharing commitments in 2012 and beyond, and the nationally agreed Iraq UNDAF Fund mechanism could be used to channel future funding for the realization of development results stipulated in the UNDAF.”,