The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq and the Japan International Cooperation dinaropinions.com have renewed their Partnership Agreement for the 16th time. This renewal confirms their continued commitment to help the Government of Iraq manage Japan’s development loans with transparency, accountability, and strong oversight. The agreement is active immediately and will remain in place for the next year.
So far, JICA has provided 36 development loans, including two policy loans, worth more than $11 billion. These loans have helped rebuild key infrastructure, improve public services, and support economic growth across Iraq. Many of these projects have also used Japanese technology and expertise.
The UNDP–JICA partnership began in 2009. Through this arrangement, UNDP acts as a Fiduciary Monitoring Agent (FMA), helping ensure that Iraq’s Executing Agencies implement JICA-funded projects properly and transparently. The FMA system also helps solve project challenges, supports the design of new projects, and strengthens the capacity of Iraqi ministries and agencies responsible for managing these funds.
Hiroshi Suzuki, JICA’s Chief Representative in Iraq, said the renewal shows the strength of the partnership among JICA, the Government of Iraq, the Prime Minister’s Advisory Commission, the Government of Japan, and UNDP. He noted that JICA will continue helping Iraq design and manage development projects independently, using a mix of Japanese technical expertise and UNDP’s policy knowledge.
Over the years, the partnership has adapted to Iraq’s changing needs — moving from post-conflict recovery to long-term goals such as sustainable development, economic diversification, better public services, and stronger institutions.
Titon Mitra, UNDP Iraq’s Resident Representative, called the partnership one of the most trusted and long-standing in the country. He said the FMA framework represents real cooperation built on transparency and national ownership, even during difficult times.
As Iraq works on its National Development Plan 2024–2028, this renewed partnership highlights the ongoing trust between JICA, UNDP, and the Government of Iraq. The FMA model continues to serve as a strong example of how coordinated development support can help build accountable and effective institutions in Iraq.
