Baghdad:The head of the Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, has announced efforts to establish a memorandum of understanding with Italy’s anti-corruption authority.

According to the Iraqi News Agency, a statement from the Integrity Commission detailed that during a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Iraq, Niccolò Fontana, Al-Lami underscored the significance of global collaboration to combat corruption. He emphasized the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which Iraq joined under Law No. 35 of 2007, highlighting the need to implement its measures on corruption prevention, criminalization, law enforcement, and legal assistance, as well as international cooperation in asset recovery and extradition processes.

Al-Lami expressed his desire to strengthen ties with Italian anti-corruption agencies and engage with the Financial Police to leverage their expertise. He also aimed to finalize a memorandum of understanding with the Italian National Anti-Corruption Authority. Additionally, he encouraged Italian businesses to invest in Iraq, which is working towards creating a secure investment climate free from corruption, such as extortion and bribery.

Italian Ambassador Fontana noted the severe financial and economic impacts of global corruption and affirmed the willingness of Italian oversight bodies to collaborate with Iraqi counterparts. This collaboration would focus on enhancing anti-corruption legislation, providing legal assistance for asset recovery and the extradition of suspects, and exchanging expertise to build capacity and skills among staff.