Iraqi Government Delegation Visits Oman for Technical Exchange on Social Protection System Reform

Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, 27 January 2026 – A delegation from the Government of Iraq is in Muscat for a technical exchange to learn from Oman’s experience in advancing comprehensive social protection reform. The visit is hosted by Oman’s Social Protection Fund, facilitated by UNICEF and funded by the European Union.

The visit supports Iraq’s work on its next National Social Protection Strategy, which aims to strengthen support for children, families and vulnerable groups through a more coordinated and sustainable system.

“Oman’s experience offers valuable lessons that will help Iraq strengthen its social protection system and better support children and families,” said Christian Skoog, UNICEF Representative in Iraq.

The delegation includes 15 senior officials from key Iraqi ministries and institutions. Through meetings and site visits, they will gain insights into the legal, institutional, programmatic and financial foundations of Oman’s reform.

Discussions will focus on building a lifecycle- and rights-based social protection system, strengthening links between social assistance, social security and labour market policies. Key topics include benefit design, targeting mechanisms, financial sustainability, disability inclusion, care services, and the role of data and digital systems in improving service delivery.

“Oman has developed its 11th five-year social protection plan, which puts emphasis on contributions through social security. This is a good lesson learned which ensures that the system is sustainable,” said Klemens Semtner, the EU Ambassador to Iraq.

The programme includes meetings with the Entitlements and Subscription Directorates, Digital Solutions, Legal and Communication departments, as well as site visits to a Social Protection Fund branch and the Investment Unit. Sessions also explore engagement with workers and employers’ organizations and the role of community actors and the social workforce.

The exchange shows the benefit of learning from regional experiences, helping Iraq strengthen its reforms and build a system that protects children, supports families and reduces vulnerability at every stage of life.

The visit is supported through the EU Joint Programme on Social Protection for Iraq – Leveraging Effective Response and Accelerating Reform, a €55 million investment by the European Union, implemented jointly by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP). Since 2021, the Joint Programme has supported Iraq’s transition from a historically fragmented system towards a more integrated social protection vision. Major achievements to date include the development of the National Social Protection Strategy, the development of a child-sensitive social protection model “Cash Plus”, the ratification of Iraq’s Convention on Social Security and progress on the establishment of the Single Registry.

Lessons from the technical exchange with Oman are expected to inform Iraq’s social protection reform and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive and resilient social protection system.