Background Information on Iraqi Ministries
- Agriculture
- Capital Markets Institutions
- Communications
- Communications and Media Commission
- Commission on Public Integrity
- Culture
- Defense
- Displacement & Migration
- Education
- Electricity
- Environment
- Finance
- Foreign Affairs
- Health
- Higher Education
- Housing & Construction
- Human Rights
- Industry & Minerals
- Interior
- Property Claims Commission
- Justice
- Labor & Social Affairs
- Municipalities & Public Works
- Oil
- Planning & Development
- Private Sector Development
- Science and Technology
- Trade
- Transportation
- Water Resources
- Youth and Sports
Agriculture
The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is working to advance Iraq's agricultural sector by encouraging more market-based policies while providing the necessary information and technical assistance the sector needs. The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for the planning, implementation, and oversight in the areas of plant and animal R&D, agricultural extension, veterinary services, agricultural economics/statistics, as well as quarantine policy development. The Ministry is also determined to rehabilitate its facilities country-wide with up-to-date equipment to give staff the improved capacity to perform its duties.
Capital Markets Institutions (Three)
Iraq Securities Commission (ISC) - The ISC is an independent public commission with rule-making and law enforcement authority, reporting directly to the Prime Minister. The ISC oversees the activities of licensed securities markets. It has authority to make laws and rules with respect to securities transactions, securities markets and activities of companies or other investment vehicles listed on a securities market.
Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) - Currently, there is one licensed market, the Iraq Stock Exchange. The ISX adopted many of the cultural aspects of a floor-based auction marketplace from the former Baghdad Stock Exchange (BSE). The ISX was privatized pursuant to the Law and is now a member-owned, not for profit, self-regulatory organization.
The Iraq Depository (ID) - The ID is a currently a division of the ISX, although it will be spun off eventually to become a separate entity. It has the responsibility of developing and implementing a system for centralized clearing and settlement for all securities transactions executed in Iraq.
Communications
The Iraqi Ministry of Communications (MoC) is responsible for providing basic telecommunications services to the public, government, and business. The MoC provides postal service to the general public and manages postal savings accounts. It also runs the State Company for Internet Services and represents Iraq at international organization such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Universal Postal Union (IPU). The Ministry has taken a lead role in standing up Interim Iraqi Government (IIG) Communications.
Communications and Media Commission
The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission, which calls itself the National Communications and Media Commission ("Commission"), is charged with regulating the telecommunications, media broadcasting and information services. The Commission consists of a board of nine Commissioners and a Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Siyamend Othman. It also has certain responsibilities to promote press self-regulation. It can be likened to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
Commission on Public Integrity
The Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) is dedicated to preventing and investigating corruption in all levels of the Iraqi government nationwide. It is the coordinating umbrella organization for the other two pillars (The Board of Supreme Audit and Inspector General Program) of the national strategic anti corruption campaign. CPI seeks to promote and advance open, honest and accountable government through public education and awareness programs allowing citizens to report corruption through anonymous means. CPI works closely with the Inspectors General (IGs) of each Ministry and with the Board of Supreme Audit (BSA) to coordinate anti corruption efforts. CPI is also working with Ministry of Education officials to implement curricular materials in ethics and civics in public schools.
Culture
The Iraqi Ministry of Culture (MoC) is responsible for the preservation and protection of all the cultural heritage of Iraq. Iraq's cultural heritage encompasses institutions such as museums and libraries, as well as over 10,000 archaeological sites and standing historical monuments. The area of intangible or non-material culture includes musical traditions, oral performances, cinema and theater. Besides the protection of cultural monuments and traditions, the ministry is responsible for the development of a tourist sector that is certain to become a major contribution to the economy of Iraq in the future.
Defense
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense (MoD) is responsible for providing the peace needed for a unified, stable, and democratic Iraq. Achieving this long-range strategic objective requires a secure environment for people and property that enables citizens to participate fully in political and economic life. This means that the Iraqi government must have the means, including its own defense force, to assume its responsibility for external and, as appropriate, its internal security. The Joint Headquarters (JHQ) of the MoD will organize, train, and equip the Iraqi Armed Forces (IAF) to ensure they are prepared and available for operations.
Displacement & Migration
The Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration is responsible for all matters relating to Iraqi refugees and displaced persons and all non-Iraqi refugees residing in Iraq. it develops policies to address migration issues and serves as the focal point for organizations assisting refugees and displaced persons.
Education
The Iraqi Ministry of Education (MoED) is responsible for the oversight of policy and planning and the security of the Iraqi Education system. The MoED includes over 20,000 schools, administrative offices, and educational facilities nationwide, serving approximately 6,000,000 K-12 students. The MoED provides curriculum standards, textbooks, and supplies for approximately 300,000 teachers. Provides oversight of the administrative staff and training to support the teachers to ensure an education that serves the child and prepares them to be responsible, contributing, educated members of society.
Electricity
The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity (ME) is responsible for policy, planning, and implementation of the Iraqi electrical system, including generation, transmission, distribution, communication and control, and infrastructure security.
Environment
The Iraqi Ministry of Environment (MoEN) is responsible for the oversight of policy, planning, regulation and enforcement of controls on, matters that affect the Iraqi environment. Through inter-ministry interaction, the MoEN is charged with monitoring and discovering environmental abuses, as well as educating and informing Iraqis on the proper use of their country's natural resources.
Finance
The Iraqi Ministry of Finance (MoF) is responsible for the oversight of the Iraqi Budget and Finance functions, including financial and economic policy, as well as budget formulation and execution. The Ministry of Finance is the Iraqi equivalent of the U.S. Treasury Department combined with elements of the Offices of Personnel Management (OPM), Management and Budget (OMB), Federal Reserve (FED), the Social Security Administration (SSA [pensions]), and the Department of the Interior. The Ministry will be working to modernize Iraq's financial systems, in addition to working with international organizations to attract donors and convince the international community that Iraq's foreign debt be forgiven.
Foreign Affairs
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides consular services in Iraq and gradually will extend those services to missions in other countries. The Ministry plans to extend Diplomatic activities and hopes to represent Iraq internationally, as well as continuing donor coordination efforts.
Health
The Iraqi Ministry of Health is responsible for the oversight of policy, planning and operation for all aspects of the Iraqi health care system, including the purchasing, storage and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
Higher Education
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MHESR) is responsible for the public Higher Education sector which consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges within the Community College systems, 2 Commissions and 2 Research Centers. There are two Ministries of Education in the Kurdish region comprised of three Universities and nine Institutes. They receive no budgetary support from the MHESR. There are a small number of private colleges in Iraq that are not managed by the MHESR.
Housing & Construction
The Iraq Ministry of Construction and Housing (MoCH) is responsible for the oversight of policy and planning for important aspects of the Iraqi construction and housing system, including roads and bridges external to municipalities, housing and public buildings. The MoCH also has fifteen State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), essentially large companies engaged in all aspects of the construction business.
Human Rights
The Iraq Ministry of Human Rights is responsible for the development of a declaration of human rights for Iraqis, as well as encouraging the growth of independent human rights organizations within Iraq. Saddam Hussein's regime left many imprisoned or missing. The Ministry aims to document the fate of hundreds of thousands of these people.
Industry & Minerals
The Iraq Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MIM) is responsible for the oversight of policy, planning and development of the Iraqi industrial base. Throughout the years, that has meant the industrial State Owned Enterprises (SOE) oversight and management but it will now start to focus on private sector industrial development as well.
Interior
The Iraqi Ministry of Interior (MoI) is responsible for the internal security of Iraq. MoI commands a number of uniformed forces, including the Iraqi Police Service (IPS), Department of Border Enforcement (DBE), Special Police (ISP), and Bureau of Dignitary Protection (BDP). MoI also runs the Iraqi Civil Defense Directorate (ICDD, Iraq's firefighters and emergency response organization) and oversees and sets standards for the Facilities Protection Service (FPS). Finally, MoI also has criminal/domestic intelligence capabilities, and it regulates Private Security Companies operating in Iraq.
Property Claims Commission
The Iraqi Property Claims Commission (IPCC) is charged with sorting out claims of property confiscated by the former government. In addition to the 100,000 expected claims from Iraqi exiles, the commission is addressing property claims from displaced Iraqis who choose to file a claim.
Justice
The Iraqi Ministry of Justice is responsible for the operation of the prisons — management, construction and renovation of detention facilities. The Ministry, acting through the Iraqi Corrections Service, is also responsible for the training of judges and prosecutors and for operating land registration offices throughout Iraq.
Labor & Social Affairs
The Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA) provides citizen services including social security, social welfare, and labor (employment and training). MoLSA administers its employment services out of its approximately 25 centers, equipping job seekers with the tools to match their interests with a potential employer and learn new skills to make them more employable. Additionally, MoLSA dispenses social security payments and facilitates donation programs with MoLSA's social care institutions.
Municipalities & Public Works
The Iraq Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works is responsible for restoring and improving essential services (water, sewage, trash collection). The Ministry also aims to improve and extend upon Iraq's conservation efforts and capacity.
Oil
The Iraqi Ministry of Oil (MoO) is responsible for the oversight of business development, operations, planning, and policy development for Iraq's major petroleum industry components. Due to recent sabotage around key pipeline facilities, security and rehabilitation are the top priorities for maintaining oil production levels that have been essentially restored to pre-war levels. Additionally, the MoO is managing the funding for improvements to obsolete oil recovery and refining technology.
Planning & Development
The Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation has responsibility for planning and prioritizing development and reconstruction activities in Iraq, principally through its role in donor coordination and in the preparation of the capital budget. Within the Ministry are a number of specialized agencies: the Central Statistic Organization, the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control, the De-Mining Commission, the NGO registration office and the National Center for Administrative and Technological Development. The Ministry is also home to the Foreign Investment Promotion Unit and the Economic and Social Fund, which grants loans to small business.
Private Sector Development
The Office of Private Sector Development (OPSD) is within the Iraq Transition Assistance Office (ITAO). OPSD deals with Iraqi and international companies, banks, investors, Iraqi Ministries, the U.S. military, U.S. agencies, and multilateral organizations to accelerate the growth of the non-oil private sector, promote pro-market government policies, and enhance security through job creation and business development activities. The activities range from loan programs and providing grants for small businesses to setting up business centers and providing business training.
Science and Technology
The Iraqi Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is responsible for planning and oversight of national level research and development programs and other specialized programs. MoST has taken the lead in establishing e-government initiatives that led to the formation of the office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO). MoST is responsible for some of the security protection of a radiological storage bunker at Tuwaitha, as well as hazardous materials maintenance and cleanup.
Trade
The Iraqi Ministry of Trade currently is a conglomeration of state owned enterprises and also operates and manages the Public Distribution System (PDS) which provides a monthly food ration supplying 2000 calories per day for every man, woman, and child in Iraq. It also owns and operates seven state owned enterprises three of which (the food stuffs company, the grain storage company, and the grain milling company) are closely associated with the Public Distribution System. Most of the Ministry's 3000 trucks and 400 warehouses are also dedicated to the PDS. The future of the Ministry of Trade should see a transition to an more multi-faceted and market-oriented entity that facilitates and promotes commercial activity in Iraq by acting as a service and support structure for its domestic and international trading sector.
Transportation
The Iraqi Ministry of Transportation (MoT) is responsible for the oversight of policy and planning for the Iraqi transportation system, including aviation, maritime, railway and highway conveyances, but excluding highways and highway bridges. The MoT is continuing restoration efforts at seaports and airports with great success, while commercial travel is halted due to security concerns.
Water Resources
The Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) provides water management of surface and groundwater supplies to the citizens of Iraq. The MoWR strives to balance the competing demands of irrigation, municipal and industrial water supply, hydropower, flood control, and environmental needs including marsh restoration.
Youth and Sports
The Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sport (MoYS) focuses on providing informal education and free-time activities. The Ministry operates out of its existing 165 youth centers and strives to provide the 450 sports clubs nationwide the freedom to develop and ensure equal opportunity for young Iraqis in team sports and individual athletics. Many of the facilities are undergoing rehabilitation and once complete, will serve each communities' interest by providing additional functions as voting locations or places of refuge.
