Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation: Addressing Iraq's housing challenges
Iraq has a shortage of 3.5 million homes. To tackle that problem, the country also has to consider how the climate crisis will make already scorching temperatures even hotter.
No one can solve this challenge alone. That’s why the International Trade Centre (ITC) is working with Iraq’s government, UN partners, and the European Union to find a sustainable solution.
The project is called Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT), and it’s taking a collaborative approach that builds respect for human rights, opportunities for small businesses, and climate solutions that will work long into the future.
‘The Ministry is ready to collaborate on the BEIT project, which aligns with the government's plans,’ said Malik Khalaf Wadi, Director of the Private Sector Development Directorate at the Ministry of Trade. ‘We aim to establish strong coordination to achieve new goals in the housing and private sectors.’
ITC is working with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UN-Habitat, which is the global agency for housing and urban planning. Each agency is bringing its particular expertise to reach four core objectives.
- Bringing Iraqi construction policies in line with international standards.
- Increasing affordable green housing and decent jobs.
- Making it easier for businesses to work in construction.
- Strengthening workers’ and employers’ organizations.
Working together with Iraqi ministries
After months of preparation, the project has gotten to work. The BEIT team met on 13 November 2024 with the Private Sector Development Directorate to discuss the project’s goals and how to meet them. Attendees included representatives from the Ministries of Planning, Construction and Housing, Finance, the National Investment Commission, the Federation of Iraqi Contractors, and the European Union Delegation to Iraq.
Ali Al-Nasseri, Programme Manager for the European Union Delegation to Iraq, said the EU is committed to supporting Iraq in achieving green economic growth. He emphasized that tackling housing sector challenges will require joint efforts from the government, private sector, and citizens to develop affordable and sustainable solutions.
Addressing climate change through innovation
Climate change is already causing problems for Iraqis as temperatures keep rising. BEIT is seeking ingenious design solutions to keep indoor temperatures cool. That could mean integrating solar panels, better ventilations, or energy-efficient building techniques – developed through public-private collaboration.
Some solutions will be policy-driven – finding ways to reduce red tape, particularly for small businesses, so it’s easier for them to enter the construction market.
By addressing housing and climate challenges while driving private sector development, the BEIT initiative stands as a transformative model for a sustainable future in Iraq.
