Preparatory Meeting for the 4th Arab SMEs Summit in Iraq
📅 Date: 15 July 2026
🏷️ Theme: Entrepreneurship | MSMEs | Regional Cooperation | Summit Preparation | Public-Private Partnership
The Ministry of Planning of Iraq convened the eighth meeting of the Ministerial Committee responsible for the preparations of the 4th Arab SMEs Summit, scheduled to be hosted in Iraq in November 2026. The meeting was attended by representatives of the ESCWA Technology Centre (ETC), alongside senior officials from the Iraqi Government and national institutions, to review the technical arrangements for the Summit.
The discussions focused on finalizing the official announcement, coordinating the launch of the digital registration platform, reviewing participant invitations, confirming the thematic tracks and exhibition layout, strengthening sponsorship engagement, and advancing the Summit's communication and outreach strategy.
ETC Contribution
The ESCWA Technology Centre provided technical and organizational support throughout the planning process, contributing to the coordination and preparation of the Summit by:
- Supporting the development of the Summit's organizational and technical framework.
- Reviewing the official announcement, international invitation process, and digital registration arrangements.
- Providing technical guidance on the programme, thematic tracks, and exhibition planning.
- Coordinating with national counterparts on sponsorship engagement, communication activities, and partnership development.
- Advancing discussions on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support continued collaboration in delivering the event.
The meeting reflected the strong partnership between the Government of Iraq and ESCWA in developing a regional platform that will bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, development partners, and ecosystem stakeholders to advance entrepreneurship and MSME development across the Arab region.
Partners: Ministry of Planning (Iraq), ESCWA Technology Centre (ETC), Office of the Prime Minister, General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Migration and Displacement, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Central Bank of Iraq, National Investment Commission, and Communications and Media Commission.
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