The UN Development Program (UNDP) in Iraq on May 17-18 welcomed the Public Prosecutor General of the Kurdistan Region Judge Kawa Fathi Masoum to one of its ongoing financial investigation workshops in Baghdad, the UNDP said in a press release.

During his visit, Judge Masoum praised the longstanding partnership between the UNDP and the federal justice system, highlighting the importance of these collective efforts to combat financial crime and corruption across Iraq.

He also awarded the Public Prosecution Shield to the UNDP’s training team, which includes Mohamed Almosly, James May, and Jafar Shereaf Nema, for their dedication, excellence, and interactive training approach.

The UNDP said Judge Masoum’s visit provided an opportunity to recognize the achievements of the UNDP in strengthening the capacity of judicial and law enforcement officials across Iraq. Since 2021, the UNDP in Iraq, with the support of the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, has trained over 2,000 officials, including more than 700 judges, in investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating complex and organized crimes including corruption, illicit enrichment, and money laundering.

“During our attendance at the Judicial Workshop on May 17-18, 2024, we awarded the Public Prosecution Shield to the members of the UNDP team of the Financial Investigation Project in recognition of their exceptional efforts in training our judges on financial investigation techniques,” Judge Masoum said.

“This training will enhance the capabilities of public prosecutors in monitoring and protecting public funds, uncovering crimes of corruption and money laundering, and holding perpetrators accountable. The dedication and expertise of the UNDP team also led to the drafting and launching of a Financial Investigation Handbook, which has been adopted by Iraqi institutions to unify our procedures and efforts in this field. The UNDP experts played a significant role in the success of the program.”

"We are honored to have had Judge Masoum with us,” Resident Representative for UNDP Iraq Auke Lootsma said. “His presence reinforces the important role of partnerships in achieving our shared goal of reducing corruption and enhancing justice in Iraq.”

Judge Masoum was appointed as the public prosecutor general of the Kurdistan Region on February 13, 2023.