Decentralization of services is key to improving service delivery and supporting socio-economic development. UNDP’s Supporting Recovery and Stability in Iraq Through Local Development Programme (LADP), in collaboration with the High Commission for Coordination between Provinces (HCCP) and with funding of the Eropean Union (EU), organized a high-level workshop on Decentralization and Financing of Municipal Services in Erbil on 16 - 17 November 2022.

UNDP is supporting the process of decentralization in Iraq, and has contributed to the development and implementation of several projects related to renewable energy, water, and waste management in the governorates of Anbar, Basra, Duhok, Erbil, Missan, Ninewa, Salah al-Din, Sulaymaniyah and Thi-Qar, including development of additional project proposals.

The workshop was attended by 65 government representatives and deputy governors from various ministries representing Anbar, Basra, Duhok, Erbil, Missan, Ninewa, Salah al-Din, Sulaymaniyah and Thi-Qar governorates. The workshop provided an exchange of experiences and ideas related to decentralization of municipal services, and supported attendees to actively participate in the decentralization process.

Participants addressed the topics of local revenue generation, private investment in local infrastructure, procurement of projects, municipal performance in developing services in a decentralized system, and calls for action to be further discussed in upcoming events.

Mr. Rafie Faeq Al-Shami, Engineer and Deputy Governor of Thi-Qar Governorate, noted that the workshop tackled many issues related to the roles and functions of local government, in addition to discussing creative ways to provide good quality services to citizens in a timely manner. “It is important to discuss practical tactics to allow decentralization to promote local government as an effective tool for service delivery. We will join efforts with the central government in order to ensure the proper implementation of decentralization in Iraq,” he emphasized.

“The event represented a timely opportunity to address decentralization needs across Iraq’s governorates,” said Chaseb Kadhim Al-Hajaji, First Deputy Governor of Missan Governorate.  “Governorates need policy reforms in order to ensure the provision of better services in sustainable ways.”

Dalia Arif Ali, Civil Engineer, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Department of Planning and Follow-up, noted, “We all benefitted from each other’s experiences and it was beneficial to discuss a comprehensive approach to decentralization.”

The workshop is part of ongoing efforts to stimulate dialogue related to decentralization and support to local development.