1 August 2022

In the run up to the capacity building workshop, UNCTAD representatives will conduct a series of sectoral consultative meetings involving, in addition to the Ministry of trade, relevant government institutions, including the National Committee on the Coordination of the Accession of Iraq to the WTO, a multi-disciplinary body, composed of experts and trade negotiators.

These consultations will allow UNCTAD to be informed on the progress made by Iraq in its accession's preparatory work.

2-4 August 2022

The workshop is part of UNCTAD technical assistance provided to Iraq under the UN Development Project (2021-2024). Capacity building activities under this project are conceived to support Iraq, as a post-conflict nation, in the area of trade policy and trade negotiations to facilitate its accession process to the World Trade organization (WTO).

The workshop is geared to strengthen and upgrade the negotiating skills of Iraqi trade negotiators in the area of services. It is expected that the participants will be equipped with up-to-date negotiating techniques to enable them to engage in the actual WTO accession negotiations.

Some 30 trade officials and experts are due to participate in the workshop, representing the ministries of: Trade; Transport; Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, as well several public and private institutions, including the Central Bank of Iraq, the Iraqi Airways and the Association of Private Banks.

5 August 2022

A post-event appraisal meeting will be held to take stock of the workshop outcomes and address the capacity building and technical assistance needs of Iraq in the area of trade policy and trade negotiations.

UNCTAD will continue its support to Iraq's efforts towards WTO membership under the DA project during the remainder of 2022, and the year 2023".