Iraq Donors Meeting to Convene in Dead Sea

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AMMAN, July 10, 2005— Representatives of more than 60 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Bank, will gather at the Dead Sea in Jordan on July 18-19, 2005 to review progress and lessons learned from donor-financed reconstruction activities in Iraq.

Hosted by the Government of Jordan and chaired by the Government of Canada, the Fourth International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) Meeting will focus on the achievements to date. At the meeting, the Government of Iraq will present its priorities and discuss with donors how best to coordinate efforts to move the reconstruction process forward.

The first IRFFI meeting to convene since the January 2005 elections in Iraq, the Dead Sea gathering is being held at a unique juncture in Iraq's reconstruction process. Taking place on the heels of the International Conference on Iraq held in Brussels last month, the event is broadly expected to follow through on support expressed for the political transition in Iraq, and to provide a new momentum to reconstruction efforts

International donors established IRFFI at the 2003 Madrid Conference to facilitate the provision of reconstruction assistance in a coordinated and effective manner. The IRFFI has two trust funds, separately administered by the World Bank and the UN in close coordination with the Iraqi authorities and donors. To date, international donors have committed a total of $1 billion to the two trust funds. IRFFI's Donor Committee meets on a semi-annual basis to endorse overall direction, review progress, coordinate efforts, and ensure coherence with Iraqi priorities.

"This is an opportunity to strengthen further the partnership for Iraq," says Barham Salih, Iraq’s Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation. "It is time to make a difference for the people of Iraq," he added.

For more information on the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, please visit: