National Strategic Review of Food Security and Nutrition in Iraq Towards Zero Hunger: Summary report

Abstract

The Government of Iraq has committed to the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 which aims to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’’. The National Strategic Review of Food Security and Nutrition was undertaken to formulate a set of policies, institutional changes and investments to achieve SDG 2. Work on the Review was undertaken under the leadership of Dr. Mehdi alAlak, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers. An Advisory Committee comprising relevant Government institutions helped guide the process and review the various proposed actions. Work was coordinated with the efforts of the National Food Security Committee, which was set up in February 2017 under the guidance of the Minister of Agriculture. Work on the Review was initiated in January 2018 with a literature review by ICARDA who were appointed as the technical institution. Subsequently, a team comprising experts from ICARDA worked in Iraq in February 2018. An initial round of discussions with the Council of Ministers, the Advisory Board, technical experts from concerned ministries and development partners, along with a review of existing literature, helped identify key action areas needed to achieve SDG 2. A second mission on 28 March 2018 conducted a workshop with the Advisory Board and key stakeholders to validate the findings, with a particular emphasis on the recommendations, key strategic options, priority action areas and estimated costs. A final workshop held on 10 May 2018 endorsed the main action areas and cleared the way for the finalization of the Review. Discussion with the Government through the Review process found a strong appetite for change and reform; and Ministers and senior officials in concerned Ministries were keen to engage in a highly proactive manner. This reflects a strong consensus that Iraq needs to move to the next stage of recovery and the goals and objectives set out in SDG 2 are an essential part of this process. The World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and other development partners provided help and support throughout the strategy formulation process. The work of ICARDA and costs of various missions, meetings and workshops was support by the WFP.