Sinjar stands at a defining moment in Iraq's development journey. Following years of nationally led stabilization and recovery efforts, the Government of Iraq is now turning to the next phase, transforming recovery into sustainable development, investment and long-term prosperity. 

The progress achieved to date has been made possible through the leadership of the Government of Iraq and the sustained partnership of the international community. Notable among the stabilization initiatives was the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS), which helped restore essential infrastructure, revive public services and create the conditions for the voluntary return of displaced communities across Iraq's liberated areas. Yet the issue of displacement, and particularly the Yazidis return to Sinjar remain to be fully addressed.   

Sinjar remains one of Iraq's most complex recovery contexts. Years after liberation, the district continues to face interconnected challenges, including damaged infrastructure, limited economic opportunities, governance constraints, social fragmentation, security challenges and the need to support safe, voluntary and dignified returns Home to an estimated 340,000 people before the 2014 conflict, Sinjar witnessed the displacement of more than 314,000 people, predominantly Yazidis and other affected minority communities, together with the widespread destruction of homes, public infrastructure and essential services. While significant progress has been achieved since 2017, approximately 272,000 people originating from Sinjar and its surrounding areas continue to reside in camps and informal settlements, underscoring the scale of the reamining challenges and the need for a comprehensive, integrated approach to sustainable returns and long-term development. 

The Government of the Republic of Iraq is collaborating the government of Germany, and UNDP to organize a high level event in UNGA to reflect the Government of Iraq's vision to transform one of the country's most affected districts into a model of integrated, area-based development and of blended financing.

The High-Level Side Event during the 81^st Session of the United Nations General Assembly seeks to: 

• Officially launch the Sinjar Investment and Development Plan as the country's strategic framework for integrated, area-based development and long-term investment in Sinjar.  
• Position the strategic partnership between the Government of Iraq, the International Community and UNDP as a successful model for accompanying Iraq's transition from stabilization to sustainable development. 
• Mobilize political commitment together with financial investment and strategic partnerships to support implementation of the Plan and accelerate sustainable, government-led development in Sinjar. 
• Present Sinjar as a flagship model for integrated, area-based development that can inform future sustainable and inclusive development approaches and other post-conflict contexts.   
• Demonstrate Iraq's successful transition from stabilization to sustainable development.