16 July 2023 – Basra Governorate, Iraq
Through an unprecedent initiative, the Iraqi Federal Commission of Integrity in cooperation with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organised in the Governorate of Basra the “National Conference on Strengthening Partnership and Dialogue between the Public and Private Sectors - The Way to Combat Corruption.” The Conference brought together 150 representatives of the Federal Commission of Integrity, Basra Governorate, Private Sector companies, The Ministry of Industry, Iraqi Federation of Industries, Contractors Union, Banks Association and international organizations working in the field of combating corruption. The conference aimed at supporting partnerships and dialogue between the public and private sectors for the purposes of combating corruption, showcasing methods to enhance the effectiveness of prevention measures, integrity and legal frameworks concerned with the work of the private sector.
Noting the importance of the conference, Judge Haider Hanoun, Head of the Federal Commission of Integrity affirmed that “The Commission has thoroughly prepared for the battle against corruption, in which victory depends on such preparations that included strengthening partnership and dialogue between private/public sector and taking into account the preventive measures needed to stop corruption within the private sector. This is within the framework of the pillars and provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), to which Iraq acceded a decade and a half ago.”
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Mr. Ghulam Isaczai, emphasized the importance of this event and highlighted “corruption hampers economic, political, social development and the rights of everyone. It is our collective responsibility to uphold integrity and combat corruption. Now is the time to come together to take action against corruption for a safer, better and fairer future for all.”
Mr. Ali Elbereir, Head of UNODC Office in Iraq affirmed that “MENA region economies face significant corruption related challenges that affect trade and investment development, calling for the need to ensure fair competition by raising awareness and promoting the implementation of common anti-corruption provisions and the application of deterrent anti-bribery measures, noting that public-private cooperation is a critical factor in protecting integrity and preventing corruption.”
The Conference included vital sessions on relevant legal frameworks and codes of conduct, prevention of conflict of interest, determinants of failure and success in public/private partnership, methods of corruption prevention, and successful experiences to enhancing integrity.
By engaging with the private sector, Governments build strong governance systems and enhance business sector integrity, which are essential to ensure attractive and competitive environment to businesses and on the longer term affirm healthier markets and greater investors’ confidence. Governments can foster private sector innovation, efficiency, and value for money for the consumers by encouraging companies to adopt stronger anticorruption practices and robust corporate governance systems and to compete fairly.
The Conference is organized within the framework of the project “strengthening the capabilities of the private sector in the field of combating corruption and enhancing integrity in the Arab countries,” which is funded by the Siemens Integrity Initiative. The project aims at supporting six Arab countries, namely the Republic of Iraq, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Sudan, the Kingdom of Morocco and the State Libya and the United Arab Emirates, in countering corruption and enhancing integrity in the private sector.
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