The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Ha Lo Al-Askari, affirmed that Iraqi universities are providing expanding educational opportunities to keep pace with population growth indicators.

This came during his speech at the opening of the First Scientific Conference on Addressing Unemployment and Poverty in Iraq 2026, organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning. He stated that the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is committed to aligning educational outcomes with the needs of society and the labour market. This aims to transform universities into influential institutions capable of reducing unemployment, combating poverty, and strengthening sustainable development indicators.

He also highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in updating academic programmes, developing curricula, supporting technical education, strengthening partnerships with state institutions and the private sector, expanding training environments, and equipping students with entrepreneurial skills that prepare them to integrate into the knowledge economy.

For his part, the Acting Minister of Planning, Dr Khalid Battal Al-Najm, reviewed development indicators and their relationship to poverty and unemployment trends. He stressed that the Ministries of Higher Education and Planning share responsibility for identifying challenges and developing sustainable solutions through institutional cooperation.

The first session of the conference featured scientific discussions involving representatives from the Ministries of Higher Education, Planning, Labour and Social Affairs, in addition to the Senior Adviser of the United Nations Population Fund, university presidents, representatives of the private sector, unions and professional associations, the International Labour Organization, and a distinguished group of academics and researchers.