Within the framework of the technical assistance provided to the Government of Iraq to support efforts in combatting terrorism and the various challenges authorities are facing in the aftermath of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's (ISIL/Da'esh) defeat, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's Terrorism Prevention Branch (UNODC/TPB) organised a consultative meeting for the officials from the Kurdistan region of Iraq (KRI). With the generous support of the Government of Japan, UNODC/TPB conducted a risk assessment and gap analysis visit to identify technical assistance needs and necessary interventions to secure Iraqi borders on 12 and 13 August in Erbil, Iraq.
The event was opened with a commencement speech by H.E. Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Mr. Karim Sinjari, who strongly reiterated the Kurdish Government's commitment to combatting terrorism in Iraq. Furthermore, he welcomed UNODC/TPB's initiative, highlighting the need for strengthened technical assistance addressing the most pressing terrorism threats the region is facing. The meeting brought together a number of high level representatives from the KRI Parliament, the Ministry of Justice, the Kurdistan Region Security Council, the General Directorate of the Asayish, the High Judicial Council, the Department of Foreign Relations, the Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs, the Women's Rights High Council, the Ministry of Peshmarga Affairs, the Counter-terrorism Agency, the General Directorate for Terrorism Prevention and the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs.
The two-day meeting provided the participants with a general overview of UNODC/TPB's role in providing technical assistance to Member States. Furthermore, it provided an opportunity to address the challenges the Kurdistan region of Iraq is facing, alongside the Government of Iraq, in holding ISIL/Da'esh accountable for its crimes. This includes maintaining the security of Iraq's northern border as well as dealing with the great number of victims.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, participants called for more support to KRI authorities, as part of the technical assistance provided by UNODC/TPB to the Government of Iraq in its counter-terrorism efforts.