"Toward Iraqi National Action Plan to Implement Resolution 2250"

 Press Release

 On May 4, 2024, representatives from official entities, NGOs, and youth representatives in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, came together in Erbil to progress towards formulating an Iraqi national plan to implement Resolution 2250 within the Iraqi context. This involves leveraging existing governmental strategies and plans like the Development plan and population policy, Preventing violent extremism plan and Anti-hate speech plan.

This agreement came within a consultative workshop organized by Peace and Freedom Organization over three days from 2 to 4 May 2024. It was attended by official entities from The Presidency of the Republic of Iraq, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Iraqi Council of Representatives, the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Iraq, the Ministry of Culture and Youth in the Kurdistan Region, and the Iraqi Ministry of Planning in Iraq, in addition to a large group of male and female activists, representatives of local organizations concerned with youth, and specialists in this field.

The aim of the consultative workshop was to generate ideas that would outline a roadmap for preparing a National Action Plan for Iraq regarding the Resolution 2250, contributing to and supporting various parties, in addition to discussing the fundamental ideas that the National Action Plan must include and the mechanisms to work on.

"There must be a clear and real role for youth in society, as they are the foundation for building and prospering the country. Youth have many rights, and in return, they have many and many duties. We, at the Presidency of the Republic of Iraq, support all efforts and plans that enhance youth participation in all fields," said Dr. Adnan Ibrahim, advisor to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Iraq.

Furthermore, Member of the Iraqi Parliament, Mrs. Noor Nafi', emphasized that this workshop represents a real opportunity, and this project serves as a promising platform for youth, especially as Resolution 2250 presents an opportunity to invest in youth potential. "We, in the Parliament, support the youth, and I personally, will try to adopt any decision or recommendation that emerges from this workshop that serves the public good. We also work on incorporating the Pillars of Resolution 2250 in the upcoming legislation through the Iraqi Parliament to create opportunities for youth and empower them through Iraqi laws and legislation."

Representing the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Hassan Al-Saadi stated, "Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani, and his government prioritize youth in all programs and initiatives, as enhancing opportunities, and this consultative workshop and its project “Enhancing Youth Participation in Peace and Security Building” are among the most important objectives that the government and the Prime Minister's Office are working on to actively contribute to ending societal violence and supporting youth in reaching advanced stages in building their communities, entering the job market, enhancing their role in all fields. There will be a shared responsibility for all of us in drafting the National Action Plan for Resolution 2250 in cooperation with Peace and Freedom Organization to achieve the best results. There will also be a series of initiatives and forums in all Iraqi provinces involving all relevant government entities, in addition to youth and civil society organizations.

On behalf of the Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dr. Mohammed  AL-Bayati mentioned that Iraqi youth deserve all attention, support, and the provision of opportunities for participation and integration with decision-makers, as well as contributing to building a society free from terrorism and extremism, and we are calling for activating their role in all areas of life through implementing the pillars of Resolution 2250.

Representing the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, Suha Jaafar noted that these efforts provide an opportunity for the relevant ministries and the Iraqi Ministry of Planning to be fully prepared to support all efforts that help in preparing an effective National Action Plan regarding Resolution 2250.

Mr. Azmar Khalil, representing the Ministry of Culture and Youth in the Kurdistan Region Government, emphasized the necessity of developing a National Action Plan to implement Resolution 2250 in a way that considers the specificity of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, in the structure, preparation, and implementation of the plan, as well as in its content.

Peace and Freedom Organization confirms that, in coordination with various entities concerned with the resolution, will continue its efforts to coordinate and unify efforts at various levels for all parties, helping in reaching a suitable common ground for preparing a comprehensive and inclusive Iraqi National Action Plan about the Resolution 2250, which will pave the way for 'Enhancing Youth Participation in Peace and Security Building.'

Hence, Peace and Freedom Organization calls all the active and interested parties in activating and implementing Resolution 2250 in Iraq and Kurdistan Region, from international and local organizations, to support these efforts towards achieving a comprehensive Iraqi National Action Plan that adopts a cooperative approach in its work and considers the specificities of regions and provinces in its content.

Peace and Freedom Organization

May 4, 2024