Kurdistan Region, Erbil - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the launch of the updated National Population Policy document during the coordinating meeting of the Arab Council for Population and Development.

The document, which was approved by the Supreme Population Council in February last year, aims to address the current challenges posed by significant social, demographic, and health transformations over the past decade.

In his speech, Prime Minister al-Sudani emphasized that the document reflects the general directions and principles of the state, outlining its main objectives. He clarified that the new document was developed after a thorough review of the initial National Population Policy for 2013. The updated version tackles the changing dynamics of the Iraqi society and provides strategies to cope with the evolving social, demographic, and health landscape.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the government's approach in dealing with the updated document aligns with the objectives of sustainable development. He emphasized the importance of connecting demographic phenomena with sustainable development plans, ensuring an enabling environment for various population groups. This includes provisions for quality education, healthcare, equal opportunities, and social welfare programs catering to the elderly and vulnerable populations.

Contrary to common misconceptions, Prime Minister al-Sudani clarified that the population policies outlined in the document do not seek to directly reduce birth rates or limit population growth. Instead, they focus on promoting social and economic development while harnessing the potential of Iraq's demographic dividend, which primarily comprises the age group of 15-64 years. By implementing robust economic, educational, and vocational plans, the government aims to capitalize on this demographic dividend and prevent its potential negative consequences.

Prime Minister al-Sudani directed state institutions to adopt the National Population Policy document as a guideline for formulating various development policies. The document covers eleven key areas, including education, healthcare, empowerment, care for vulnerable groups, migration, and the promotion of values and social cohesion.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Ministerial Council for Human Development, the National Committee for Population Policies in the Ministry of Planning, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Iraq Office. He acknowledged their collaborative efforts in preparing the updated document and supporting its successful launch.

The release of the updated National Population Policy document marks a significant step towards sustainable development in Iraq. The government's focus on youth empowerment and the efficient utilization of the demographic dividend demonstrates its commitment to fostering socio-economic progress and ensuring a prosperous future for all Iraqis.