Baghdad, 21 April 2019 – The Government of Germany will contribute an additional USD 1.14 million to advance criminal investigations and local policing, that are identified key priorities within the Government of Iraqi's on-going Security Sector Reform Programme. This support will be managed and facilitated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

UNDP Security Sector Reform/ Rule of Law Programme provides advice and technical assistance to Government of Iraq's Security Sector Reform Programme through partnerships with the Office of the National Security Advisor, Ministry of Interior, Higher Judicial Council, Ministry of Justice, Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, Iraqi civil society organizations and, other international donors. UNDP is grateful to Germany for its generous funding to carry out this important work in Iraq.

The German Federal Foreign Ministry grant will, among others, be used to support implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures for Criminal Investigations and Local Police Service Road Map and, support civil society organizations to improve police - public partnerships at local level. Germany has supported Iraq's security and justice sector reform efforts since 2017.

German Ambassador Dr. Cyrill Jean Nunn said: "Security Sector Reform is one of the key pillars in Germany’s support to Iraq. In that context, capacities for professional criminal investigations and local policing are of high importance. We appreciate the close collaboration of UNDP with all relevant Iraqi authorities with the aim of improving public security services for the Iraqi people”.

Officer in Charge of UNDP Iraq Mr. Vakhtang Svanidze said: “I would like to thank the Government of Germany for its generous contribution and, we are grateful to Germany for its continuing commitment to improve security and justice services in post- ISIL Iraq".  "Improving key public security services such as policing and justice service provision in the liberated and other areas is a pre- requisite for Iraq's transition to stability and, maintain safe returns" added Mr. Svanidze.

UNDP is very grateful to the Government of Germany for its committed and generous contributions to Security Sector Reform/ Rule of Law Programme in Iraq.

For additional information, please contact:

Ms. Chamila Hemmathagama, Programme Manager – Rule of Law /Security Sector Reform

(m): +964 773 642 1530