A Delegation from the International Relations and Diplomacy Department Participates in Conference on Economic Reform and Civil Society’s Role in Monitoring Governance
On November 30, 2024, Dr. Mohammad Salih, Head of the International Relations and Diplomacy Department, and Mr. Bayad Sarwar participated in a conference organized by the Stop Organization. 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, was held in Erbil.
The conference brought together a diverse group of attendees, including representatives from the Kurdistan Parliament, academics, consultants, the Parliamentary Research Center, the NGO Office, monitoring institutions, local and international organizations, financial and legal experts, and former parliamentarians.
The opening speech was delivered by Falah Hassan, Head of the Office of NGOs, who emphasized the critical need for economic reform and enhanced involvement of NGOs, particularly the Stop Organization, in governance processes. This was followed by a presentation by Ari Abdullah, Director of Stop Organization, who shared a detailed report addressing economic reform challenges and responsibilities faced by the Tenth Cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government. The report outlined key recommendations to resolve ongoing financial issues in the region.
Dr. Arshad Taha, Economic Advisor to the Kurdistan Parliament, delivered an in-depth analysis of the multifaceted economic challenges confronting both the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq. Following this, participants shared insights and suggestions on addressing the region’s financial difficulties.
In the second session, a panel discussion titled Experience of Civil Society Relations with Public Authorities featured prominent speakers, including Dr. Fuad Ahmad, Head of Research at the Kurdistan Parliament; Amer Botani, President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI); and Dr. Amin Faraj. The panel explored strategies to strengthen the role of civil society organizations in decision-making and reform implementation in the Kurdistan Region.
The conference concluded with a commitment to present the report and its recommendations to relevant stakeholders within the Kurdistan Regional Government and the region’s representatives in the Iraqi Parliament. The event is part of the Strengthening Accountability and Rule of Law Project in the Kurdistan Region, a long-term initiative by the Stop Organization supported by the US National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
 
Keywords: Conference, Economic Reform, Civil Society, Monitoring and Evaluation, KRG, Stop Organization, International Relations and Diplomacy Department, Tishk International Relations