ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraq’s Development Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday aimed at strengthening cooperation on sustainable development, economic diversification and strategic investment in Iraq.

The agreement includes cooperation in areas such as institutional capacity building, public-private partnerships, infrastructure development and support for priority economic sectors, according to Iraqi state media.

Mohammed al-Najjar, executive director of the Iraq Development Fund, said the partnership would focus on projects related to education infrastructure, water resource resilience, agricultural value chains, and increasing private sector participation.

“This memorandum of understanding reflects our commitment to building strategic partnerships that contribute to enhancing Iraq’s investment environment and supporting sustainable economic growth,” Najjar said.

He added that “the cooperation with UNDP aims to implement projects with tangible impact, attract innovative financing opportunities and support development initiatives benefiting communities across Iraq.”

Sascha Graumann, deputy resident representative of UNDP in Iraq, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting Iraq’s development priorities through institutional strengthening, innovative financing tools, and broader investment opportunities.

“This cooperation will also provide practical advisory support to strengthen project planning, improve investment readiness, enhance stakeholder engagement and ensure the effective implementation of future development and investment projects,” state media cited Graumann as saying.

He added that the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iraq, particularly in areas related to sustainable economic development, governance and rule of law, climate and environmental issues? and inclusive social development.

Both sides said the memorandum reflects a shared vision focused on innovation, stronger partnerships and sustainable development that benefits the Iraqi people.