During the session, a group of inspectors general of the state’s offices and ministries delivered lectures, including:

1. Mr. Raed Abd Zayed, Inspector General of Iraqi National Intelligence Service

2. Mr. Maher al-Bayati, Inspector General of Ministry of Finance and Ministry Planning

3. Mr. Ali Hamid Kazem, Inspector General of Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture

4. Mr. Thamer Karim Al-Abboudi, Inspector General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

5. Mr. Adnan Karim, Inspector General of Ministry of Industry and Minerals

6. Mr. Sajed Al-Jabiri, Inspector General of Secretariat of the Capital Baghdad

7. Mr. Hasan Al-Akili, Inspector General of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

8. Mr. Mohammed Jawad Al-Saaidi, Inspector General of Ministry of Migration and Displacement

In the presence of an elite group of academics, government executive and legislative figures, cultural personalities and clerics, the session was divided into two divisions; the first of which was an introduction of inspector general according to the law. In addition, the lecturers explained the goals of inspector general’s work in the state office or ministry, emphasizing that the role of inspector general is about not only oversight and accountability, but also about supporting ministries and guiding the work of institutions and correcting some of the wrong financial and management policies, to ensure providing the best service for citizens.

In the second session, the lecturers continued what was proposed in the first session, explaining how important the inspection services are in keeping the public fund from being wasted or corrupted. They also criticized calls for disbanding the monitory and inspection bodies, as this will facilitate “according to them” the spread of corruption and the abuse of office for personal and partisan interests, if political parties have an influence on the inspector general.

The difficulties that hinder the work of inspection services were also part of the session, as the lecturers have diagnosed them saying that the lack of experience of staff working within the inspection services, because they were not involved in courses or workshops that qualify them to perform better, has weakened the performance hugely. In addition, the inspection staff are not appointed based on their competence. Moreover, there is a lack of laws that when made, they would give a green light to the inspectors to do their job. Furthermore, separating between the work of the Department of Inspector General and Financial Control and Integrity Commission, so that there would be no overlap in powers and boundaries.

The lecturers has expressed their gratitude to RCD for its continuing role in supporting the state of institutions, especially those working in supervisory fields in Iraq, and for holding symposiums and sessions for this purpose.

The two sessions also featured some questions by attendees, including questions about suspicions revolving around the inspectors general work, and about the future of inspection services work under the current political system.