First National Conference for Improving the Provincial Financial Management Regulatory Framework and the Execution Rate of the Provincial Investment Budget

The conference was sponsored by the Governor of Najaf, Mr. Adnan Al Zurfi, and coordinated with the Prime Minister's Advisory Council (PMAC). The event aimed to bring together key decision-makers and high-ranking central and provincial government officials to agree on a final set of changes to current budget execution instructions and government contracts execution instructions designed to increase budget execution rates. The conference was attended by 76 representatives from the highest levels of the national and provincial governments, including the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Secretariat (COMSEC), the Secretary General Assistant, and the Director General of the Legal, Government Contracts, and projects Follow-up Directorates of the Ministry of Planning. Eleven provinces participated in the conference, including Najaf, Baghdad, Basrah, Diyala, Anbar, Wasit, Karbala, and Dhi Qar, Babil, Muthanna, and Diwaniyah. The Governor of Najaf, Mr. Adnan Al Zurfi, delivered the opening speech, welcoming all the participants and emphasizing the importance of increasing awareness among local government officials of the practical and strategic steps needed to effectively execute investment projects. The Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, delivered supportive remarks, highlighting the need for citizens to be engaged in the discussion of the budget to ensure that it responds to their needs. Mr. Ali Al-Alaq pointed out that the key aspects of the budget problems lie with the current approach for preparing the budget, including the existing budget classification system. He mentioned that the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers initiated the formation of a central committee to move Iraq towards a new budgeting system called Programs and Performance Budgeting (result-oriented budgeting approach). Mr. Qassim Enaya, Director General of Government Investment Directorate, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Planning, highlighted the important role of MoP in addressing different types of challenges and obstacles facing the implementation of investment projects. Mr. Cameron Berkuti, Taqadum's Chief of Party, welcomed the conference participants and emphasized the importance of sound public financial management systems in delivering essential public services. The conference included three presentations from GSP's partners, focusing on current investment budget allocations and execution rates, obstacles facing the execution of the investment budget and government contracts, and administrative and procedural obstacles contributing to low budget execution rates. An open discussion of a list of 25 recommendations and proposed changes to the current financial management regulatory framework was also held, with the Governors of Najaf, Babil, Muthanna, Diwaniyah, and the Chairman of Baghdad Provincial Council making remarks focused largely on the proposed amendments under consideration. The conference aimed to achieve a set of proposed amendments to the provincial financial regulations designed to improve the efficiency of the execution of the investment budget in the Iraqi provinces. The event was well-received by participants at all levels, and the conference provided a platform for discussion and agreement on key issues related to provincial financial management and budget execution.