Iraq, U.N. sign historic aid agreement

BAGHDAD, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government signed a landmark agreement with the United Nations Wednesday outlining the U.N. role in reconstruction and development.

The U.N. Assistance Strategy for Iraq 2008-2010, the first such agreement for Iraq since the 1990s, is a cooperative agreement with Baghdad that mandates how the United Nations will work in Iraq during the course of the provision.

The agreement was signed in Baghdad by Iraqi Planning Minister Ali Baban and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General David Shearer.

The plan provides a level of accountability to reconstruction projects as defined in the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, which provides for an "action-orientated roadmap to improve the quality of aid and its impact on development."

Projects under the Iraq strategy will receive funding from Baghdad, the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq of the World Bank and the United Nations, and the Consolidated Appeal for Iraq 2008.

"This represents an important step in Iraq's recovery process. It brings the whole U.N. organization together in partnership with Iraq and its people, to reduce poverty, foster growth and consolidate democracy in our country," Baban said.

The Iraq strategy emphasizes private-sector development, social services and protection for vulnerable groups, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq said.