LocationsIraq Hosts the Second Arab Forum Against Corruption, With Participation from Over 29 Countries
October 9, 2024
From September 10-12, 2024, Iraq hosted the Second Arab Forum for Enhancing Transparency and Good Governance in Baghdad. With over 300 participants, speakers, and moderators from more than 29 countries, the event marked a major step in Iraq's efforts to combat corruption and promote sustainable solutions for the Arab region. The Forum was co-organized by the Arab Organization for Administrative Development, Transparency International, and UNDP, and was hosted by Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity, under the patronage of H.E. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani.
High-level public officials, integrity commissioners, representatives from the private sector, civil society, media, and youth across the Arab region and beyond gathered to discuss solutions. The Forum, themed "Integrity: An Essential Ingredient in the Era of Complexity and Opportunities," was co-financed by the European Union and welcomed significant international representation from governments and organizations.
The Era of Complexity and Opportunities
The world is grappling with overlapping challenges—conflicts, climate crises, and digital divides—that are particularly severe in the Arab region. These complexities make it harder to curb corruption and foster transparency.
UNDP’s 2024 Trends Report highlights an unprecedented rise in conflicts in 2023, surpassing levels not seen since the end of the Second World War. The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International also shows that most Arab states have stagnated in their CPI rankings for over a decade, largely due to political corruption undermining anti-corruption efforts.
Yet, new technologies offer opportunities. Digital tools can streamline administrative processes, enhance transparency, and make it easier to monitor and enforce anti-corruption measures.
At the Forum, participants discussed these challenges and explored solutions through panels and working groups. The event’s Pitch Zone allowed young activists to present their anti-corruption work, while tools like Mentimeter and Padlet made sessions interactive and inclusive.
Bold Actions Needed to Curb Corruption
The Forum concluded with robust recommendations aimed at combating corruption across the Arab region. These include:
- Streamlining government processes and adopting e-governance tools.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Empowering civil society to play a more active role in anti-corruption strategies.
- Encouraging the private sector to enhance internal governance and financial transparency.
One standout proposal was the creation of an Arab Observatory for Integrity and Transparency, a regional platform to monitor anti-corruption efforts and assess policy effectiveness.
The Forum also emphasized the potential of modern technologies, such as AI and cloud computing, to improve governance efficiency. Additional recommendations included legal protections for whistleblowers, empowering women and youth in leadership roles, and ensuring transparency in the management of public funds. Regional cooperation was also highlighted, with a call for governments to share expertise and strengthen cross-border investigations to address corruption on a larger scale.
About the Forum
The Arab Forum for Enhancing Transparency and Good Governance is a joint initiative by Transparency International and the Arab Organization for Administrative Development. It will continue annually until 2030, with each edition hosted by a different Arab country. The Forum brings together governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, and media from across the region to foster dialogue and accelerate actions against corruption.
Through its Anti-Corruption and Arbitration Initiatives, funded by the European Union, UNDP co-organized this second edition of the Forum, reinforcing its commitment to supporting Iraq’s efforts to combat corruption and promote integrity.