The Imam Hussain Holy Shrine has discussed prospects for cooperation with a delegation from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Iraq, focusing on exchanging technical expertise and international best practices to develop the agricultural sector, diversify national production, and support sustainable economic growth.

Razzaq Al-Ta’i, Board Member of the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine and Head of its Agricultural Authority, emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with international organizations, particularly the UNDP, to benefit from their technical expertise and international experience. He noted that such partnerships could help improve agricultural production, diversify Iraq’s economic resources, and reduce dependence on oil revenues.

During the meeting, the UNDP delegation—which included Resident Representative Auke Lootsma (Titon Mitra), Deputy Resident Representative Mehdi Khalili, and Head of External Relations Randa Farhat—was briefed on the Shrine’s development, humanitarian, and service projects and their impact on society.

The discussions also explored opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, particularly through exchanging expertise to improve the quantity and quality of local production. Special attention was given to supporting strategic crops, especially dates, as an important step toward strengthening food security, revitalizing the national economy, and encouraging agricultural investment.

Al-Ta’i reaffirmed the Shrine’s readiness to cooperate with international institutions by combining local expertise with international capabilities to implement development projects that directly benefit Iraqi citizens.

For his part, Auke Lootsma expressed his appreciation for the projects undertaken by the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine, commending their significance and positive impact on society. He also stressed the importance of developing Iraq’s agricultural sector as a key pathway to economic diversification and reducing dependence on oil.

Emad Bao