Deputy Secretary-General Malloch Brown visits Baghdad for talks on new compact

Deputy United Nations Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown today conferred with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad on a new partnership with the international community, the proposed International Compact for Iraq aimed at consolidating peace and pursuing political, economic and social development over the next 5 years.

Mr. Malloch Brown, who arrived in Baghdad yesterday at the Government’s invitation,

met with President Jalal Talibani, Vice Presidents Adel Abdel Mahdi and Tariq Al-Hashimi, Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, and a host of key Iraqi political leaders and members of the international donor community.

The primary focus of the Compact will be to build a framework for Iraq’s economic transformation and integration into the regional and global economy.

Discussions focused on the Government’s setting up of a Preparatory Group, which it will co-chair with the UN, to help with preparations for the Compact with strong support from the World Bank in coordination with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other regional financial institutions.

It will include key members of the international donor community. The Preparatory group will report directly to Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh and the Mr. Malloch Brown.

“The Government of Iraq regards the international compact as a critical process for the country’s future development,” the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said in a statement.

“The Compact will build on the achievements of the Iraqi people and provide an opportunity to develop a broader international consensus of support and engagement with Iraq to bring about its economic transformation and realize its best economic potential for the sake, wellbeing and prosperity of the Iraqi people.”