From December 12 – 15, 2009, the Ministry of Health (MoH) conducted its “International Scientific Conference of Health Researchers” dedicated to examining the challenges and opportunities for developing a more robust health sector research program for Iraq. The conference was a partnership between the MoH, WHO, International Medical Corps and the USAID/Tatweer program. During the conference, a wide-range of clinical and non-clinical themes were covered - including hospital accreditation, applied nursing research, primary trauma care, and maternal mortality – with sessions structured to allow participants to formulate recommendations for how to advance the research agenda in these areas. The USAID/Tatweer program facilitated workshops on health administration and health economics. The conference also featured presentations by Iraqi researchers of their studies in areas such as comparing maternal risks in elective versus emergency c-sections, identifying factors which contribute to development of nerve disease among diabetics, and identifying reasons why some children are not fully immunized. The outcome of the conference was the presentation of recommendations for advancing Iraqi research in the health sector and recommendations on future areas for health sector research. In addition, the Ministry of Health celebrated the graduation of thirty-two Master Trainers who were developed by the USAID/Tatweer National Capacity Development Program.