Baghdad – Iraq anti-corruption efforts are showing encouraging progress, according to a senior United Nations official, who said the country’s campaign against corruption and the recovery of stolen public assets is moving in a positive direction. While notable improvements have emerged, officials believe further reforms remain necessary to achieve lasting results.
Yama Torabi, Manager of the United Nations Development Programme’s Anti-Corruption and Arbitration Initiatives, said Iraq has made meaningful progress through the work of the government, the Supreme Judicial Council, and other institutions responsible for tackling corruption.
Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA) on Sunday, Torabi explained that Iraqi authorities have strengthened their approach to addressing financial crimes. He noted that government institutions have become increasingly active in pursuing corruption cases and improving legal procedures designed to protect public resources.
Torabi said asset recovery had previously received limited attention. However, he explained that the Iraqi government has recently made the issue a national priority. Authorities now place greater emphasis on locating and recovering stolen funds and public assets that were lost through corruption.
According to Torabi, recent developments indicate that these recovery efforts are advancing in the right direction. Even so, he stressed that current progress remains insufficient to fully address the scale of the challenge. He encouraged Iraqi institutions to continue strengthening legal mechanisms and improving coordination between relevant agencies.
The UNDP official also referred to findings contained in a judicial monitoring report. The report identified more than 12 areas where Iraq could improve procedures related to tracing, freezing, and recovering stolen assets. These recommendations aim to enhance efficiency and ensure stronger implementation of anti-corruption measures.
Torabi emphasized that success will require a clear national strategy supported by firm action. He said authorities should continue applying established legal mechanisms while improving institutional cooperation across government bodies. Strong implementation, he added, remains essential for delivering lasting reforms.
The recovery of stolen public funds represents one of Iraq’s most important governance priorities. Officials believe returning these assets can strengthen public finances, increase accountability, and restore public confidence in state institutions. Continued judicial reforms could also improve transparency across government agencies.
International organizations continue supporting Iraq’s reform agenda through technical cooperation and institutional development. Torabi confirmed that the United Nations Development Programme remains committed to assisting Iraqi authorities by providing technical expertise, professional training, and capacity-building programs designed to strengthen anti-corruption institutions.
The partnership between Iraqi institutions and international organizations seeks to improve investigative procedures, enhance financial oversight, and build stronger legal frameworks for combating corruption. These efforts also aim to increase the effectiveness of future asset recovery operations.
As Iraq continues implementing reforms, observers expect additional measures to strengthen transparency and financial accountability. Although challenges remain, recent developments suggest that Iraq anti-corruption efforts are gaining momentum. Continued cooperation between national authorities and international partners could further accelerate progress and improve the recovery of public assets. Strengthening Iraq anti-corruption efforts remains an important step toward enhancing governance and protecting public resources.
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