What is the International Compact with Iraq?
The International Compact is an initiative of the Government of Iraq for a new partnership with the international community. Its purpose is to achieve a National Vision for Iraq which aims to consolidate peace and pursue political, economic and social development over the next five years.

The primary focus is to build a framework for Iraq’s economic transformation and integration into the regional and global economy. However, it is recognized that good governance and resolution of security and political challenges are pre-requisites for progress in all other areas, including economic revival and normalization. Through the Compact, the government, in collaboration with the international community, is expected to achieve a range of policy objectives in support of a National Vision, as outlined in the ICI documentation and Joint Monitoring Matrix (JMM).

The ICI was launched in Sharm al-Sheikh by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, on May 3, 2007. Over 60 national delegations participated in the launch with more than 30 foreign ministers in attendance. The launch event produced commitments of USD$ 30 billon comprised primarily of debt relief, or agreements to resolve debt under Paris Club terms. Although not intended as a pledging conference, new cash pledges of approximately USD$ 700 million were made. The Compact launch demonstrated the Government of Iraq’s resolve to undertake reforms and pursue the priorities set out in the Compact and the international community’s commitment to support the Government of Iraq in this endeavor.

Key objectives

• Iraq’s Economic Transformation and Integration into Regional and Global Economies
• To realize a National Vision for Iraq
  • Consolidate peace and political unity and the vision of a united federal democracy
  • Establish a path to economic reconstruction, integrated national economy and self-sufficiency over five years
• Advance goals of Iraq’s National Development Strategy
• Strengthen stability and security
• Mutually reinforcing commitments
  • Iraq’s pursuit of critical reforms
  • International commitments for support
• Recognizing fundamental needs
  • Good governance
  • Resolving political and security challenges
• Benefits to the Iraqi People – Progress towards Peace and Prosperity
• Benefits to the Government of Iraq – Support and Enhanced Legitimacy
• Benefits to the International Community – Peace and Stability, a New Partner

The Compact will be implemented via a consultative group process, around a commonly understood fiscal framework against which substantive commitments will be made. As part of this process, progress will be measured in terms of achievement of key strategic benchmarks.

• Annex I - Principles and Foundations Of GoI (pdf format, 26,2 KB)
• Annex II - The National Reconciliation And Dialogue Project (pdf format, 25,3 KB)
• Annex III - Legislative Timetable (pdf format, 25,9 KB)
• Annex IV - Joint Monitoring Matrix 2008 (pdf format, 231,9 KB)
• Annex IV - Joint Monitoring Matrix 2007 (pdf format, 261,7 KB)
• Annex V - MTFF (pdf format, 19,7 KB)

How does it work?
An implementation mechanism has been devised to coordinate pledges, trust funds and disbursement of capital in support of the Compact. As a service provider, the Compact Secretariat located in Baghdad, will coordinate and monitor Compact implementation through the provision of policy, planning, technical and organizational support. The managerial staff for this body is provided by the Government of Iraq and is supported by international organizations and bilateral secondments of specialists.

A range of Government-led thematic working groups provide the required input for development of plans, programmes and projects to support ICI priorities in the key areas of governance, economic, energy and social services reform. Together with re-alignment of donor working groups, funding mechanisms and project databases, the ICI provides a comprehensive blueprint for planning and aid coordination. A number of governing bodies provide the oversight, guidance and direction for development of the ICI based on current and emerging priorities.

This initiative is not Iraq’s alone. The ICI is supported on the technical level by the United Nations, World Bank and other regional and multilateral counterparts, under an organizational structure aimed at mobilizing international consensus and support. The Compact is governed on a day-to-day basis by the Executive Committee which is co-chaired by the Government and the UN. During the preparatory process, the Executive Committee managed the preparations for the ICI with the help of a Technical Committee co-chaired by the World Bank and the Government of Iraq, with ad-hoc Secretariat support principally from the United Nations and World Bank.

An Iraq Compact Group compromising all major partners and donors is tasked with providing strategic advice and engendering high level political support for the Compact. Within the Government of Iraq, a Steering Committee consults with relevant ministries and aligns Government policy as required to meet agreed goals. The ICI is also closely coordinated with the IMF and other international financial institutions. As such, the Compact is intended to be a statement of strong regional and international support for the political and economic vision of the Government of Iraq underscored by specific financial commitments and high-level political support.

The ICI is co-chaired by the Government of Iraq and the United Nations. In this regard, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has designated Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, former Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, as Special Advisor on the Compact and as the United Nations focal point for the ICI. In this role, Mr. Gambari replaces former Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown, who served as ICI focal point during the preparatory phase of the ICI. The Government of Iraq focal point for the ICI is Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Barham Saleh, whose office hosts the Compact Secretariat.

• Implementation Process
• Secretary-General Appoints Ibrahim Gambari Of Nigeria As Special Adviser On International Compact With Iraq (pdf format, 76,3 KB)