On November 30, 2024, Dr. Mohammad Salih, Head of the International Relations and Diplomacy Department, and Mr. Bayad Sarwar participated in a key conference organized by the Stop Organization in Erbil. The event, titled “Economic Reform and Responsibilities Before the Tenth Cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Role of Civil Society Organizations in Monitoring and Evaluation of the Process,” gathered a diverse group of attendees, including representatives from the Kurdistan Parliament, academics, and civil society leaders.
Highlights from the Conference
The conference commenced with an opening speech by Falah Hassan, Head of the Office of NGOs, who emphasized the critical need for economic reform and enhanced involvement of NGOs in governance. This was followed by a detailed report from Ari Abdullah, Director of the Stop Organization, who outlined key recommendations to resolve ongoing financial issues in the region.
Dr. Arshad Taha, Economic Advisor to the Kurdistan Parliament, then delivered an in-depth analysis of the complex economic challenges facing both the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq. The second session featured a panel discussion on “Experience of Civil Society Relations with Public Authorities,” with speakers from the Kurdistan Parliament, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and other prominent institutions. The panel explored strategies to strengthen the role of civil society organizations in decision-making and reform implementation.
The conference concluded with a commitment to present the final report and its recommendations to relevant stakeholders within the Kurdistan Regional Government. This event is part of the Strengthening Accountability and Rule of Law Project in the Kurdistan Region, a long-term initiative supported by the US National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Keywords: Economic Reform, Civil Society, Monitoring and Evaluation, KRG, Stop Organization, International Relations and Diplomacy, Conference, Erbil
