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Participation of persons with disabilities in the VNR preparation
Objective
To ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in the VNR process, in line with the principle of leaving no one behind.
Overview
The 2025 VNR process was marked by a broad partnership, bringing together multiple stakeholders, including the Government, parliament, judiciary, the Commission of Integrity, sectoral State institutions, the private sector, Iraqi universities, civil society organizations, youth, local governments and the media. Seven consultative sessions were held, focusing on dissemination, training and other practices used in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
A consultative session was organized for persons with disabilities, focusing on the challenges they face, their diverse needs, and the role of responsible investment in addressing these challenges at the policy level. The session was organized by the Sustainable Development Section of the Office of the Undersecretary for Technical Affairs of the Ministry of Planning, in coordination with a specialized team from the National Committee for Sustainable Development and the Follow-up Cell. It was hosted at the headquarters of the Iraqi Association of Disability Organizations (IADO).
The session discussed the SDGs, the VNR and its various components, highlighting the importance of including persons with disabilities in drafting the VNR key messages, based on the principle of leaving no one behind. It emphasized investment in human capital as a cornerstone of poverty reduction and human well-being. The session also reviewed national development plans in Iraq and the efforts of the Ministry of Planning to develop human capital, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and essential services. Among the success stories highlighted in the session was the increased employment rate of persons with disabilities in government institutions.
The agreed follow-up actions included:
- Ensuring that all individuals enjoy the rights enshrined in the Constitution, including the rights to education, health, adequate housing and a dignified life without discrimination, while supporting funds for basic education and free healthcare for the poor, with consideration for vulnerable groups.
- Monitoring the impact of the government programme and development plans in bridging gaps, alleviating multidimensional poverty, and finding innovative social financing solutions and tools to enhance empowerment, income and wealth distribution equity, and service provision.
- Developing social safety nets, social protection and social security programmes to strengthen social cohesion and ensure a minimum standard of decent and sustainable living.