In Amman, Jordan, on 27-30 October 2014, UNODC/TPB organized a national workshop for Iraqi officials entitled "Strengthening International Cooperation in Countering Terrorism as Provided by the Universal Legal Instruments against Terrorism and the Relevant Security Council Resolutions Including S/RES/2170 (2014) and S/RES/2178 (2014)". This activity was the first one addressing these two new resolutions that were adopted by the Security Council just a few weeks prior to the workshop.
The Iraqi delegation, that was chaired by the Under Secretary for Intelligence of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, consisted of 20 high level officials from various national entities, such as the Ministry of Interior, Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iraqi Central Bank, Iraqi Judicial Council, Chancellery of the National Security, the Iraqi High Commission of Human Rights, as well as the national security institutions.
During four days of extensive work the Iraqi participants and experts from Colombia, Jordan, United Kingdom and United States, as well as from the Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, League of Arab States and UNODC/TPB discussed implementation of the new Security Council resolutions, possible good practices and mechanisms of international cooperation to prevent and counter terrorism.
The workshop concluded with recommendations on practical measures that might be taken by the Government of Iraq to counter the new trends of terrorism, such as the foreign terrorism fighters threat. Upon return to Baghdad, the Iraqi delegation began consultations to discuss the outcomes and recommendations of the workshop and possible steps to put them into national practice.
The workshop in Jordan was a part of a plan of action between the Government of Iraq and UNODC/TPB, the activities under which are generously funded by the Government of Japan. The Branch plans several additional specialized technical assistance activities for Iraq in the coming months.