Iraq enhances partnership between private and public sectors to face corruption
The head of the Federal Commission of Integrity, Haidar Hanoun, speaking during the conference in Basra. Photo: UNODC
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Federal Commission of Integrity (COI), in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), held a conference in Basra on strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors to combat corruption, according to a statement issued by the UNODC.
Around 150 representatives of the COI, Basra governorate, private sector companies, ministries, banks and international organizations attended the conference.
The statement illustrated that the conference aims to support partnerships between the public and private sectors to help combat corruption, showcasing methods to enhance the effectiveness of prevention measures and legal frameworks concerned with the work of the private sector.
The statement clarified that governments’ engagement with the private sector builds strong governance systems and enhances business sector integrity, which are essential to ensuring an attractive and competitive environment for businesses and, in the long term, affirm healthier markets and greater investor confidence.
The statement explained that governments can foster private sector innovation, efficiency, and value for money for 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 a project called ‘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, according to the statement.
The statement added that the project aims at supporting six Arab countries, namely Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Libya and the UAE, in countering corruption and enhancing integrity in the private sector.