Baghdad, Iraq - November 20, 2024 Iraq is conducting its first population census in 27 years, running from Wednesday to Friday, aiming to collect precise and updated data for the country's development. The electronically conducted census, the first since 1997, covers all Iraqi citizens. Ministry of Planning spokesman Abdul-Zahra al-Hindawi said that the census is to help authorities address the long-existing disparities in resource allocation, so as to ensure an equitable and stable development. On an international level, comprehensive and updated data can help dispel long-standing misconceptions, which are largely due to incomplete, and even distorted information about Iraq. Shotlist: Bagdad, Iraq - Nov 20, 2024: 1. Various of building of Commission of Statistic and Geographic Information Systems under Iraqi Ministry of Planning, people walking out; 2. Poster reading "Ministry of Planing, Geographic Information System"; 3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abdul-Zahra al-Hindawi, spokesman, Ministry of Planning(partially overlaid with shot 4): "Many vital statistics of Iraq, including the maternal and infant mortality rate and the prevalence of chronic diseases, are in need of official documentation. This hindered the government from comprehensively accessing related information. To optimize the allocation of basic public services, like electric and water supply, detailed census data is also required. It has been difficult for us to determine the exact demand of housing and the specific distribution across Iraq all these years. The nationwide census can reveal the situation. And we can also figure out the total number of illiterate population and their distribution. Based on that, we can frame a targeted education policy, and provide education and job opportunities for illiterate people."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 4. Various of census in process; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Various of census in process; badge reading "Census for Development"; 6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abdul-Zahra al-Hindawi, spokesman, Ministry of Planning (partially overlaid with shot 7): "This also helps to foster greater confidence among the international society to invest in Iraq. Many companies joined the bid to provide equipment for the census, and we chose Chinese equipment, which is of high performance, and can completely fulfill the technical requirements of Iraq's census."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 7. Various of census in process; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 8. Various of government staff member conducting census, citizen holding ID cards; FILE: Baghdad, Iraq - Sept 15, 2024 9. Traffic, pedestrians; FILE: Baghdad, Iraq - Feb 3, 2024 10. Various of traffic; Bagdad, Iraq - Nov 20, 2024 11. Aerial shot of city view. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]