The “Iraq’s Immediate Priorities” workshop, organized by Al-Bayan Center for Planning and Studies, in cooperation with the Middle East Research Institute, was concluded in Baghdad.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani attended the closing session of the workshop, which was attended by a group of researchers and representatives of think tanks in the United States, Europe, and the region.
Al Sudani referred to the governmental steps to be taken in the files of combating corruption and administrative and economic reform, as well as his government’s vision of the relationship with neighboring countries and the international community.
The Prime Minister noted a number of steps taken in the issues of managing the water file and providing services to restore the legitimacy of the political system and the success of the government.
The workshop included four other separate sessions, the first of which included a discussion of “Tackling corruption and obstacles to investment in Iraq” which was attended by Finance Minister Taif Sami, Chairman of the Integrity Commission, Iraq, Judge Haider Hanoon, Academic at the London School of Economics, UK, Toby Dodge, and Chairman of the Iraqi Economic Council, Iraq, Ibrahim Al-Baghdadi.
The second session included a discussion of “Stabilizing Iraq and Strengthening State Institutions” which was attended by the Director of the National Security Services, Iraq, Hamid Al-Shatiri, Deputy Adviser of the Iraqi Security Council, Iraq, Essam Al-Saadi, and Former Assistant Secretary of State, USA, Mark Kimmit.
The third session also included a discussion of “Addressing climate change and water Security”, which was attended by the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Environment, Ambassador Fareed Yaseen.
The fourth session, discussed “International Support and Partnership” which was attended by Farhad Alaaldin, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iraq, Andrew Parasiliti, President of Al-Monitor.com, USA, and Ebtisam Al-Ketbi, President of the Emirates Research Centre, UAE.
Representatives of the think tanks presented their policy recommendations to facilitate the reform steps presented by the Iraqi government, as well as their expectations and outlook for the future of Iraq in light of regional and international changes, while government officials presented the challenges facing the reform process in the country.
