Building capacity to fight corruption in Iraq

March 17, 2023

Photo: Building capacity to fight corruption in Iraq workshop, UNDP Iraq.

Investigation and adjudication of corruption offences is vital in ensuring cases are handled in a timely manner, brought before a court of law, and result in actual convictions. Training investigators, judges and prosecutors on investigation and adjudication of public sector corruption, including corruption in public procurement, is necessary to deal with corruption cases effectively and efficiently.

From 05-06 March, with generous support from the European Union (EU), forty investigators from the Federal Commission of Integrity and Federal Bureau of Supreme Audit came together for a capacity building workshop on corruption in procurement, investigation, and adjudication.

In addition to capacity building, the workshop provided a unique opportunity for the investigators to learn and exchange ideas with other professionals in their field. The participants attended from governorates across Iraq, including Baghdad, Basra, Diwaniya, Kirkuk, Muthana, Najaf, Salah al-Din, and Thi Qar.  

Building capacity to fight corruption in Iraq workshop, UNDP Iraq.

Over the course of two days, the workshop covered a wide range of topics, including the nature and forms of corruption in procurement, procurement laws and regulations, proper conduct of investigations, adjudicating corruption cases, ethics and professional conduct, and international best practices. Participants asked insightful questions and shared their own experiences, deepening shared understanding of the issues at hand.

“The training had a great impact on me personally. I would like to see the continuation of these workshops due to their significant value in capacity building and allowing the exchange of experiences between international trainers and the trainees.”

-Haider Abd Atiyah, Assistant Director General, Investigation Department, Muthanna Governorate.

“The workshop included both theoretical and practical aspects, and the methods were highly effective in terms of facilitating brainstorming and dividing the participants into panel discussions. The participants were keen to interact during discussions.”

-Saad Abdul Karim Zughair Jabr, Director of the Basra Investigation Directorate, Commission of Integrity.

The EU and UNDP are currently working together on the 'Anti-Corruption and Arbitration in Iraq' Project, which builds on Iraq's efforts to improve transparency and accountability across state institutions. The project supports Iraq's fight against corruption by supporting institutions to revise anti-corruption laws and providing specialized on-demand training for corruption investigators and integrity judges.