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Five years of partnership on social security in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Participants and representatives during the five-year partnership event on social security in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Five years of partnership on social security in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The Kurdistan Region, ILO and European Union mark five years of major social security reform and set priorities for the next phase of joint work.

Iraq launches a four-year programme for better jobs, skills and social protection
Representatives of the Government of Iraq, the Conference of Trade Union Federations and Unions in Iraq, the Iraqi Federation of Industries and the ILO sign Iraq’s new Decent Work Country Programme.

Decent work country programme

Iraq launches a four-year programme for better jobs, skills and social protection

New Decent Work Country Programme shifts the focus from recovery to long-term labour market development, with priorities spanning employment, economic diversification, workers’ rights and social protection.

New tripartite Social Dialogue Forum strengthens labour governance in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Kwestan Mohamad Abdulla Maarouf, Minister of Labour & Social Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations sign the Founding Document of the Tripartite Social Dialogue Forum. Erbil, Iraq. 1/9/26

New tripartite Social Dialogue Forum strengthens labour governance in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The new Forum brings together the government and worker and employer organizations on an equal footing to strengthen dialogue on labour and socio-economic priorities, with support from an EU-funded project implemented by the ILO.

ILO launches career guidance and counselling campaign for 750 university students and job seekers in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
two female students signing at the registration desk

News

ILO launches career guidance and counselling campaign for 750 university students and job seekers in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The initiative equips young people with guidance, access to employment services and knowledge of their rights to navigate the transition from education to decent work.

Three ways we promote nature-inspired work across the Arab States
workers planting trees

World Environment Day

Three ways we promote nature-inspired work across the Arab States

This year on World Environment Day, the ILO Regional Office for Arab states is highlighting three examples of how decent work is a central element in the transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all.

AI-driven transformation puts jobs, inequality and skills at a crossroads in the Arab region
Abstract digital illustration showing hands typing on a laptop keyboard with an AI icon and data interface overlays. Human figure icons and binary-style graphics appear in the background, symbolizing artificial intelligence, digital technologies and the future of work.

New report

AI-driven transformation puts jobs, inequality and skills at a crossroads in the Arab region

A new report outlines diverging AI futures for jobs, growth and inequality in the Arab region. Proactive and inclusive policy measures are needed today, ILO Regional Director Ruba Jaradat says during an Arab Forum for Sustainable Development special...

ILO-led workshop supports countries to strengthen recognition of prior learning systems
Attendees of the regional event

Learning event

ILO-led workshop supports countries to strengthen recognition of prior learning systems

Countries from Africa and the Middle East share practical solutions to strengthen recognition of prior learning and expand access to decent work.

New momentum to build social protection capacities in the Arab region
a table with posters an documents from the training material

New momentum to build social protection capacities in the Arab region

New training modules support governments in the Middle East and North African region to build integrated, shock-responsive systems that expand coverage and protect vulnerable populations

Iraq expands nationwide job search support to address youth unemployment
Graduates of the first institutionalized Job Search Clubs cohort in Baghdad celebrate completion of the programme under PROSPECTS. 10/02/2026

News

Iraq expands nationwide job search support to address youth unemployment

Ministry of Youth and Sports graduates first cohort of institutionalized Job Search Clubs under the PROSPECTS partnership.

Iraq draws on South Africa’s Public Works experience to advance national employment programme
Iraqi study visit in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Iraq draws on South Africa’s Public Works experience to advance national employment programme

A high-level Iraqi delegation concluded a study visit to South Africa to draw lessons from the country’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in support of Iraq’s proposed National Public Works Programme. Organized by the ILO under the EU-funded...

First workshop launches development of Iraq’s National Social and Solidarity Economy Policy
Group photo of participants at the inception workshop launching the development of Iraq’s National Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Policy, held in Sulaymaniyah on 8–9 February 2026, with technical support from the ILO under the PROSPECTS Partnership.

News

First workshop launches development of Iraq’s National Social and Solidarity Economy Policy

Supported by the ILO under the PROSPECTS Partnership, the National Committee mandated to prepare Iraq’s Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Policy convened its first workshop, formally launching the policy development process.

Tripartite committee established in Nineveh to expand social security
Scenes from the city of Mosul city in Iraq. 26/01/2026

Tripartite committee established in Nineveh to expand social security

EU-funded ILO Social Protection Programme holds high-level meetings in Nineveh and Kirkuk to advance implementation of Iraq’s Workers’ Social Security Law.

ILO strengthens employment services and labour-market links in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region and Ninewa province
woman participant speaking at the workshop

News

ILO strengthens employment services and labour-market links in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region and Ninewa province

Training series equips Public Employment Services and Career Development Centres to improve job matching and workforce support.

Arab region builds social insurance capacities through new ILO training programme
National delegations and social partners from 9 Arab countries united in Amman for the foundational course of the ILO Arab Region Social Insurance capacity-building programme.

Arab region builds social insurance capacities through new ILO training programme

Delegations from nine Arab States convene in Jordan to build capacities in social insurance governance, closing coverage gaps, and managing digital and labour market shifts.

ILO, Ministry of Youth and UNICEF train facilitators to support young job seekers in Iraq
Group photo of facilitators and partners at the conclusion of the intensive Job Search Clubs training in Erbil

ILO, Ministry of Youth and UNICEF train facilitators to support young job seekers in Iraq

Intensive programme builds national capacity to deliver effective employment support for Iraqi youth.

ILO PROSPECTS launches learning portal to transform forced displacement response
a young woman and a man attending training on woodwork in Ethiopia.

ILO PROSPECTS launches learning portal to transform forced displacement response

The ILO PROSPECTS Learning Portal turns years of field experience into practical, interactive resources to help practitioners, policymakers, and partners improve responses to forced displacement worldwide.

Talent beyond borders: Why businesses should hire young refugees
Men and women posing at event in Jordan

PROSPECTS podcast

Talent beyond borders: Why businesses should hire young refugees

Discover how businesses can unlock innovation and resilience by hiring young refugees. In this episode, Ingka Group’s Roman Bojko shares lessons from integrating refugee talent across 26 countries.

ILO employment-intensive projects create one million workdays in two years in the Arab States region
workers fixing a wall on the roads

ILO employment-intensive projects create one million workdays in two years in the Arab States region

Employment-Intensive Investment Programmes revitalize infrastructure and create decent work opportunities for communities amid humanitarian and economic challenges.

National Conference on Child Labour in Iraq: Towards a National Strategy to Protect Children and Promote Decent Work
Participants at meeting in Iraq

National Conference on Child Labour in Iraq: Towards a National Strategy to Protect Children and Promote Decent Work

ILO holds a national conference under the EU-funded BEIT Project and in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to chart a way towards a national strategy to eliminate child labour.

Cairo seminar empowers trade unions to lead the Just Transition
Several participants gather on stage in a commemorative photo.

Cairo seminar empowers trade unions to lead the Just Transition

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has kicked off a regional advocacy seminar in Cairo, bringing together trade union leaders from Africa and the Arab States to promote social justice and decent work within a just transition framework,...