Baghdad: The head of the Federal Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali al-Lami, and the Swiss Ambassador to Iraq, Peter Nielsen, engaged in discussions aimed at bolstering cooperation in combating corruption and recovering funds. Al-Lami highlighted the global nature of corruption crimes, equating their impact to that of drug-related offenses and money laundering. He emphasized the need for international collaboration to track down offenders and reclaim assets obtained through corrupt practices.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during the meeting, al-Lami underscored the significance of enhancing ties between Iraq and Switzerland in fighting corruption, in line with national laws and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. He expressed his desire to elevate cooperation levels with Switzerland, particularly in addressing challenges related to the recovery of Iraqi assets held in Swiss banks, with the aim of returning them to Iraq’s state treasury.

Al-Lami also highlighted the crucial role of community involvement in supporting oversight agencies’ efforts to combat corruption. He stressed the importance of partnerships with civil society organizations and active participation in the commission’s awareness and educational initiatives. These efforts aim to instill values of integrity and transparency, promote reporting of suspected corruption, and foster community involvement in exposing corruption and safeguarding public funds.

Swiss Ambassador Peter Nilsson echoed the need for international collaboration in the fight against corruption and stressed the importance of coordination among States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. He praised Iraq’s initiatives to tackle corruption and noted the country’s improved security and stability as factors that enhance its appeal for investment and business opportunities. He confirmed the presence of Swiss companies operating in Iraq and others interested in entering the market due to the favorable security conditions.