Sayyid Al-Hakeem: The Stability Phase Requires Learning from Other Experiences, Provided They Align with Iraq’s Reality, Heritage, History, and Culture

Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakeem, Head of the National State Powers' Alliance, met with several leaders from research centers in Iraq. After listening to their valuable inputs, he emphasized the role these centers play in completing the structure of the Iraqi state. H.E. acknowledged the challenges Iraq has faced and noted that the country has entered a new phase, emerging from its previous difficulties and approaching a stage of stability.
H.E. explained that the current phase of stability calls for benefiting from the experiences of other nations, but only if these experiences are adapted to Iraq’s unique reality, heritage, history, and culture. H.E. further clarified that stability could enhance the role of research centers, contributing to their growth and influence.
Sayyid Al-Hakeem highlighted that the lack of utilization of research center outputs is often due to either their distance from the country's immediate priorities or the difficulty in convincing decision-makers of the value and impact of these outputs. H.E. stressed the responsibility of research centers to foster internal integration and maintain communication among themselves.
H.E. pointed out that there is a difference between the independence and the neutrality of a research center. H.E. urged them to take initiative by offering practical, realistic ideas and building trust in their ability to identify problems and propose solutions. H.E. cited specific issues, such as the electricity crisis, production, and revenue collection, as well as social challenges like divorce, where research institutions could play a pivotal role in finding solutions.
Sayyid Al-Hakeem called for the separation of research centers and civil society organizations. H.E. noted that categorizing research centers requires a dedicated study to determine the standards and their affiliations. Additionally, he stressed that research outputs need to be promoted and marketed, similar to any other product.
H.E. emphasized the importance of scientific research for classification purposes and encouraged focusing on topics like artificial intelligence, underlining the need to incorporate Iraq’s culture, history, and perspectives into AI programs. H.E. called for increased allocations for scientific research and highlighted the importance of conducting a national census, advocating for public awareness about its significance in the development process.