28-01-2025
New Initiative to promote Iraqi Youth Entrepreneurship
By John Lee.
Iraq's Supreme Council for Youth has approved several initiatives to promote youth development and economic participation.
Key decisions included establishing " Secure Economic Zones for Youth, " with four incubators in Baghdad and two in each governorate, and creating the " Iraq Young Entrepreneurs Forum " to support 500 young entrepreneurs and enhance their access to private sector opportunities.
The council also approved expanding the National Youth Team for Climate Change to 2,000 members and prioritising the appointment of individuals with disabilities to leadership roles in departments related to disability affairs. A "Permanent Committee for Supporting and Caring for Youth" was established to streamline coordination with the council.
Other initiatives included launching a National Awareness Campaign for the Development Plan, approving the 2025 youth and sports annual plan, and tasking the Federal Board of Supreme Audit with reviewing investments in youth and sports facilities. The council noted progress in Iraq's youth development indicators in the 2024 Global Youth Development Index.
Full statement from the Office of the Prime Minister:
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired the 7th meeting of the Supreme Council for Youth today, Monday, where agenda topics were discussed and key decisions were made.
The council approved the establishment of developmental and economic business incubators for youth, under the name "Secure Economic Zones for Youth," with four in Baghdad and two in each governorate. Additionally, the council approved increasing the number of members in the National Youth Team for Climate Change to 2,000.
To further support youth projects, the council approved the establishment of the "Iraq Young Entrepreneurs Forum", comprising 500 young entrepreneurs. This forum will represent youth before decision-making bodies and facilitate access to opportunities within the private sector.
In alignment with promoting the rights of people with disabilities and special needs, it was decided that priority for appointing heads of departments and divisions related to disability affairs would be given to individuals from this group. The council also approved renaming the coordinating committees with the Supreme Council for Youth to the "Permanent Committee for Supporting and Caring for Youth." This committee will report to the relevant minister and coordinate directly with the Supreme Council for Youth.
As part of broader strategic initiatives, the council approved the launch of the National Awareness Campaign for the Development Plan, including the preparation of guides and trainers to support the initiative.
The council also approved the results of the National Youth Programs Competition and the 2025 annual plan for youth and sports directorates presented by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Additionally, the Federal Board of Supreme Audit was tasked with preparing a report on investments in youth and sports facilities for further review and decision-making.
The meeting highlighted progress in youth development indicators as reflected in the 2024 Global Youth Development Index, following the establishment of the Supreme Council for Youth and the various programs it has launched.
(Source: PMO)
