During inauguration of the first scientific conference, Acting His Excellency, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Hallo Al Askari affirmed that Iraqi universities are providing increasing educational opportunities to keep pace with population growth indicators.

Dr. Hallo Al Askari addressed unemployment and poverty in Iraq 2026, held in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning.

His Excellency said that the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is committed to align educational outcomes with the needs of society and the labor market so that universities become influential institutions in reducing unemployment, combating poverty, and enhancing sustainable development indicators by updating academic programs, developing curricula, supporting technical education, strengthening partnerships with state institutions and the private sector, expanding training environments, and empowering students with entrepreneurial skills that qualify 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, emphasizing that the Ministries of Higher Education and Planning share the responsibility of working together in this important area to identify challenges and formulate sustainable solutions.

It is significant to mention that the first session of the conference witnessed scientific dialogues in which the Deputies of the Ministries of Higher Education, Scientific Research, Planning, Labor and Social Affairs participated, as well as the senior advisor of the United Nations Population Fund, university presidents, representatives of the private sector, unions and syndicates, the International Labor Organization and a select group of academics and researchers.