Financial Crime World

Financial Inclusion and Risk of Financial Crime in Iraq: UNDP Launches Multi-Year Training Initiative

Strengthening Investigations into Complex Organized and Financial Crimes

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq has partnered with the US Government and the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq to launch a comprehensive training program aimed at enhancing investigations into complex organized and financial crimes in the country.

Program Overview

  • The initiative, titled “Organized and Financial Crime Investigations: An Integrated Approach,” will provide Iraqi judges and professionals with the necessary skills, expertise, and techniques to effectively investigate financial crime cases.
  • The program also aims to improve policies and procedures for investigating and prosecuting such crimes, as well as establish a roadmap for implementing these reforms.

Background

Financial inclusion in Iraq has been marred by corruption, money laundering, and illicit accumulation of wealth. These crimes have hindered the country’s economic recovery, stability, and development, and have contributed to an atmosphere of privilege and injustice.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • Strengthen procedures and tactics of investigative judges in approaching and leading complex financial crime investigations.
  • Improve policies and procedures for investigating and prosecuting such crimes.
  • Establish a roadmap for implementing these reforms.

Key Partners and Supporters

Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq

Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan stated that the goal of the program is to effectively tackle financial crimes and bring perpetrators to justice. “This collaboration with colleagues from the investigative agencies will enable us to do just that,” he said.

US Government

US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller emphasized the need for efficient tools and policies to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, which are often driven by personal enrichment at the expense of the Iraqi state and people.

The US Department of State provided funding for UNDP’s assessment on financial crime investigation capabilities in Iraq, which laid the groundwork for this training initiative.

UNDP Iraq

UNDP Resident Representative Zena Ali-Ahmad stated that the program acknowledges the significant impact of complex organized financial crimes on Iraq’s economic recovery, stability, and development. “These crimes are a major impediment to our country’s progress, and we stand ready to work alongside the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq and other institutions to put an end to them,” she said.

Program Funding

The training initiative is part of UNDP Iraq’s Security Sector Reform/Rule of Law Programme, which has been made possible through funding from the US Government.