Baghdad: The head of the Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali al-Lami, has emphasized the necessity of an effective international partnership in the fight against corruption. During a meeting with Finnish Ambassador Antti Potkonen in Baghdad, al-Lami highlighted the Iraqi government’s prioritization of anti-corruption measures within its governmental framework, backed by legislative and judicial authorities.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Lami elaborated on the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding foreign investors and companies from extortion, which aims to boost confidence in Iraq’s investment landscape. This commitment supports the implementation of various reconstruction, development, and investment projects, paving the path for sustainable development.

Al-Lami further noted that the Integrity Commission is actively pursuing individuals involved in corruption crimes and working to recover stolen funds. He expressed a desire for expanded cooperation with international partners to unify efforts against corruption. This includes broadening partnerships and providing legal assistance to surmount obstacles in retrieving funds obtained through corrupt practices. He underscored that combating corruption is crucial for ensuring a safe and attractive investment environment in Iraq.

He reiterated that the Commission’s operations are strictly lawful and not driven by personal interests, focusing instead on the protection of public funds, irrespective of the perpetrators’ status.

Discussions between the Iraqi and Finnish representatives included potential joint efforts, particularly in corruption prevention, and the possibility of establishing a memorandum of understanding between the Integrity Commission and its Finnish counterpart. This agreement would enable the exchange of expertise, implementation of advanced training programs to enhance personnel capabilities in corruption prevention, and the promotion of integrity values.

The Finnish ambassador commended Iraq’s efforts in addressing corruption and recognized a genuine commitment from the Iraqi side. He expressed optimism that Iraq could become a leader in corruption prevention and expressed readiness to formalize a memorandum of understanding between the two nations’ respective commissions.