Under the sponsorship of H.E. prime minister of the Republic of Iraq, Baghdad International Meeting for fighting corruption which was held in Baghdad on ministerial level, completed its agenda on 09/05/2013 after two days of sessions, workshops and sidelong activities that were attended by more than (250) participants from more than (11) countries including senior officials representing judicial and oversight entities alongside with NGO activists and experts from (6) international and regional organizations.
The experts were informed about the role that the Commission of Integrity is playing as an oversight body and a representative of Iraq in responding the requirements of implementing UNCAC and the steps adopted in this matter.
They expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Republic of Iraq, state and people and to H.E. the prime minister on his generous sponsorship for this meeting and his concern to make the meeting successful.
They also appreciated the UNDP/ Iraq office efforts for backing up this meeting with experts.
Also a big gratitude to all preparatory committees and everyone made this meeting successful.
The meeting completed its agenda and released the recommendations below:
1- Benefiting from the cultural and religious heritage to strengthen values and manners that will enhance integrity culture and establish transparency and accountability principles.
2- Working on creating a corruption banisher environment by all means and possibilities and fighting corruptors without violating citizens rights, freedom and dignity.
3- Calling for work in fighting corruption fields neutrally, objectively and professionally as well as not responding to any pressures or interferences that will deviate it from its specialty or any political conflicts and not rely on recognition in any way in dealing with this case.
4- Encouraging the best investment in information technology and communications and adopting the electronic government system to enhance transparency and making the information available to the public.
5- Calling for using an effective, clear and adequate financial disclosure system which corruptors can not deceive and gain from public money.
6- Adopting an effective system according to international criterions regarding conflict of interest and illicit gain, also establishing the code of conduct to comply with the requirements of speed and effectiveness in going after corruptors.
7- Call the international organizations and the Arab network for strengthen integrity and fighting corruption to support the draft of anti corruption national strategy in the area based on clear scientific studies which include corruption perception indicators.
8- Supporting Beirut anti corruption declaration at April 2013, which was issued by Arab network for strengthen and fighting corruption.
9- Adopting clear and specific mechanism to share information about assets resulted from corruption and calling the Arab Network to form a competent team to study and present suggestions to the next relevant meeting.
10- Suggest that Arab Network with cooperation with Arab league will prepare work indicators concerning recovering money resulted from corruption, legal assistant and provide relevant studies.
11- Praising the important role of CoI in implementing UNCAC requirements and encourage other countries to follow Iraq steps in implement UNCAC.
12- Evaluating CoI efforts in establishing Iraqi Anti Corruption Academy as a unique example in the region that can provide training to the counterpart commissions.
13- Supporting judicial authority and enhancing its independency for its major role in fighting corruption.
14- Encourage the partnership between civil society organizations, media and oversight bodies to enhance integrity.
