France signs financing agreement with UN to support Iraqi elections
The UN-France deal supports Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission ahead of early elections slated for next summer.
France signed a financing agreement on Tuesday with the United Nations in a bid to bolster Iraq's electoral commission ahead of the country's upcoming elections.
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) signed the agreement with the government of France on behalf of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq. Under the deal, the UN will manage the financing and administration of the project. UN Iraq Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said in a release that the agreement “reflects the importance of a concerted international response to Iraq’s electoral needs.”
Attached to Tuesday’s UN-France agreement was a 1 million Euro contribution ($1.18 million USD) to support Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission. Part of the funds will help deploy UN electoral advisers to assist in preparing for the nationwide vote.
“Iraqis deserve a fair and transparent election process — one that ensures their needs are heard and ultimately met,” UNDP Resident Representative in Iraq Zena Ali Ahmad said in a release.
