Sayyid Al-Hakeem at the Strategic Forum for Civil Society Organizations: Emphasizes the Need for Organizational Independence and Enhancing Their Role in Sustainable Development

At the Strategic Forum for Civil Society Organizations, Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakeem, Head of the National State Powers Alliance, extended his congratulations for the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan and participated in an important discussion on the role of civil society organizations in Iraq. His Eminence highlighted the importance of the complementary relationship between these organizations and the state.
H.E. stressed that civil society organizations must have complete independence from government institutions, emphasizing that this independence requires guaranteed sustainable funding, which should come from both the public budget and the private sector. H.E. underscored that funding from the public budget strengthens organizational independence and prevents their use for political purposes, ensuring they are not exploited for personal or factional interests.
H.E. also called for civil society organizations to be strong, effective, and capable of contributing through genuine specialized work. H.E. highlighted the importance of collaboration with similar institutions both within Iraq and abroad to organize their efforts more efficiently. H.E. noted that Iraq’s diverse society and its organizations significantly contribute to sustainable development, particularly in areas such as youth training and employment readiness, which reduce reliance on government job opportunities.
H.E. emphasized that civil society organizations play a crucial role in monitoring Iraq’s realities and urged them to distinguish between political errors and the political system itself, reinforcing their ability to navigate political issues effectively.
H.E. called for a review of laws concerning civil society in line with current realities and needs, explaining that any amendments to civil society laws should balance organizational independence with protection against encroachment on other areas.
Concluding his remarks, H.E. noted that Iraq is undergoing an unprecedented political, security, and social recovery, a result of significant efforts from all political and civil parties. H.E. urged for the preservation of this recovery and a focus on positive achievements that contribute to sustainable stability.
H.E. also called for better coordination among political leaders and lawmakers to achieve optimal results for national work, reiterating the need to find a balance that preserves the role of civil society organizations in promoting stability and development in Iraq.