United Nations Radio

The United Nations and Iraq's Government Wednesday signed a landmark cooperation agreement, defining how the UN will support Iraq's reconstruction, development and humanitarian needs over the next three years.

The United Nations Assistance Strategy 2008-2010, sets out how UN agencies will cooperate to help Iraq achieve its key economic and social goals, as reflected in the International Compact for Iraq.

It contains development and humanitarian solutions for better essential social services such as education and water, and protection for highly vulnerable groups. It also focuses on boosting Iraq's private sector to create more jobs, and stronger, more accountable systems for governance.

The new Strategy aims to ensure that projects are result-oriented and accountable.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq David Shearer (photo) says "the strategy signals a real moment of opportunity in Iraq, with greater stability, a clear will to recover, a growing UN presence and better access to many areas."

He adds that the UN mission "will now be able to consolidate achievements and shift focus -helping Iraq to mobilize its substantial capacity and resources while the UN works to meet outstanding humanitarian needs."

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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