Al-Sudani Affirms Support for Strengthening and Enhancing Internal Audit as Part of the Anti-Corruption Strategy
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani sponsored today the Internal Audit Conference organized by the Federal Board of Supreme Audit under the theme: 'Internal Audit is the First Line of Defense Against Corruption and a Pillar of Transparency.'
The media office of the prime minister stated in a statement, received by The Iraqi News Agency-INA' In his speech, Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized that the conference seeks to strengthen internal audit mechanisms and reinforce transparency. This aligns with the government program's primary objective of combating corruption, a fundamental measure for restoring public trust in governance and the political system as a whole. He highlighted the critical role of internal audit as a corrective mechanism that ensures institutional integrity and prevents the misuse of public funds, clarifying that internal audit should not be viewed as bureaucratic obstruction but as a transparent and ethical process that upholds the spirit and objectives of the law before implementing its technical provisions'.
The statement added,' Prime Minister Al-Sudani reaffirmed that the statement issued by the Supreme Religious Authority in November of the previous year underscored the government's unwavering commitment to prioritizing anti-corruption efforts. He emphasized that deviating from this path would impact the fulfillment of other obligations, including combating unemployment, creating job opportunities, advancing economic reforms, and improving public services'.
Key Highlights from Prime Minister Al-Sudani's Speech at the Conference:
Internal audit is the first line of defense against corruption, safeguarding government institutions and ensuring their integrity.
A total of 12 trillion Iraqi dinars was allocated for service projects across ministries and provinces in 2024.
The achievements of the past two years have given citizens hope, strengthened their trust in the state, and fostered optimism that the country is on the right path.
Corruption has become like a mutating virus, adapting itself to the measures taken by audit authorities.
The government has implemented decisive anti-corruption measures with full transparency, legal clarity, and adherence to the rule of law.
Supporting and enhancing internal audit has been placed at the core of the government's anti-corruption strategy.
Internal audit departments have been elevated to the level of general directorates to strengthen their role in combating corruption.
Legislative efforts are underway to establish a legal framework for internal audit directorates, under Article 108 of the Constitution, ensuring their operational independence.
The government has supported the recommendations from the First Anti-Corruption Conference, particularly those focused on enhancing internal audit departments with human resources and specialized expertise.
Regular performance evaluations of senior officials are essential to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of government institutions and to prevent corruption.
We have directed authorities to expedite the resolution of reports, complaints, and criminal cases within the legally prescribed timeframes.
Emphasis has been placed on prioritizing high-profile corruption cases, including those involving significant amounts of public funds and senior government officials, to ensure legal accountability.
Strengthening trust in accountability measures is essential to establishing public confidence in the justice system and ensuring effective deterrence.
The government is committed to fostering a societal culture of integrity, ensuring that corruption is isolated and rejected within communities.
Every effort that has uncovered even minor details of corruption has led to the recovery of significant sums of stolen public funds.
The extradition of fugitives and the recovery of stolen assets have become key priorities in Iraq's international engagements.
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