The United Nations continues to carry out a variety of functions on the development front in conflict-ridden nations, such as Iraq. For its part, UN-ESCWA launched in 2006 a unit for Emerging and Conflict-Related Issues (ECRI), aimed at contributing to the mitigation of conflicts and their repercussions on socio-economic development in the region. In that context, ECRI initiated a series of projects, some of which are in partnership with other UN entities in the region, and/or with local and regional institutions, in an effort to promote the concept of "development under instability".
Further to the needs assessment performed on the Iraqi public sector UN-ESCWA teamed up with the UN Development Program (UNDP) in Iraq to initiate the Capacity Building of the Iraqi Project. Over 12 months, the project strives to support locally led management reform of the Iraqi public institution, and contributes to the establishment of an effective, efficient, responsive and transparent public sector.