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Background Basics

The International Compact with Iraq: A Tool for Organizing Support

posted on 03/19/08

What is it?
On May 3, 2007 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon officially launched the International Compact with Iraq (ICI), an international partnership and compact to “build a secure, unified, federal and democratic nation, founded on the principles of freedom and equality, and providing peace and prosperity for its people,” in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The ICI is a five-year road map to help Iraq achieve its long-term economic, political and security goals. It is chaired by both the government of Iraq and the United Nations, represented by Ibrahim Gambari, the UN Special Adviser on the ICI, and is supported by the World Bank. Both the government of Iraq and its international partners have made mutual commitments to the ICI’s implementation. The Iraqi government has pledged to promote national dialogue and reconciliation while Iraq’s international partners will provide financial, technical and political support. The United States Government has praised the ICI for its multilateral and regional approach to Iraq.

Benchmarks and Responsibilities
The ICI establishes a “National Vision for Iraq” and aims for the economic and political integration of Iraq with its neighbors, as well as a normalization and revival of domestic affairs. The ICI sets five key benchmarks and lays out the respective responsibilities of the government of Iraq and the United Nations.

Benchmarks
1. Build a unified, federal democratic Iraq that is secure and stable and protects equal rights.
2. Develop a prosperous, diversified economy capable of sustainable development and providing for the basic needs of the Iraqi people, which is also a part of both the global and regional economy.
3. Make Iraq an “active member in regional and international organizations” that can provide assistance to other countries.
4. Establish a private sector-driven economy that is regulated and protected by the government.
5. Protect poor and vulnerable groups in Iraq (Kurds, Sunnis, Christians, etc.) from discrimination, deprivation and starvation and “provide Iraqi citizens with proper standards of public social services.”

Role of Government of Iraq
• Make progress on political inclusion and consensus building.
• Establish the rule of law and professional, uncorrupted security forces.
• Establish effective government institutions which can provide needed goods and services to Iraq’s citizens.
• Create a transparent and efficient oil sector and develop a solid budgetary framework.

Role of the United Nations
• The UN Secretariat and its agencies have pledged to support the implementation of the ICI through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq and the United Nations Country Team Joint Priority Action Plan. These institutions are designed to “deliver direct assistance to basic services that are of vital humanitarian importance to the people of Iraq.”