Baghdad, Iraq: On the 13-14 January 2021, ICMPD brought together representatives from across the Government of Iraq including high level officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Border Port Commission (BPC), Ministry of Interior and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in order to further discuss the progression of a National Integrated Border Management (IBM) Strategy and Action Plan for Iraq.
The workshop aimed to continue progress made in the initial strategy workshop, which took place in October of last year and presented the core elements and principles of the EU IBM concept, as well as the support that ICMPD could offer the Iraqi government in the drafting of a strategy and action plan.
The latest workshop saw representatives and key participants from Iraqi border authorities express their interest in the continuation of the development of a strategy which is in line with the existing inter-agency border management platform, the Border Ports Commission Council.
Outcomes of the workshop reflected agreements on the most effective approach moving forward, which includes integrating existing border authority mandates, identification of common mission statements and objectives, and analysis of the environmental threats and risks a National IBM Strategy must address.
The strategy development process will continue with bilateral consultation with each border authority, as well as a high-level meeting with senior officials to finalise a strategic mission statement and prepare first drafts for Strategic Goals, setting the direction for subsequent development of an action plan.
The Integrated Border Management (IBM) concept calls for cooperation and coordination between all actors involved in border management at national and international level. By improving communication, information exchange and mutual assistance of and between border services, the state border can be managed more successfully. The concept aims at simultaneously enhancing trade facilitation and ensuring a high level of border security and has the potential to support Iraq in its economic development and protection of national security.
The workshop was organised by ICMPD within the framework of the European Union funded Integrated Border Management in the Silk Routes Countries (IBM Silk Routes) project.