The second phases of two important Security Sector Reform-related programmes to be implemented by EUAM Iraq with the Iraqi authorities were launched on 2 November. The signing ceremony took place in Baghdad in presence of EUAM Head of Mission Anders Wiberg and German Ambassador Martin Jaeger.

“Germany supports EUAM’s efforts to help Iraq fight illegal trade in cultural goods so that Iraq‘s outstanding cultural heritage is safeguarded and not used to finance terrorism. Germany also funds EUAM’s activities that will build the professional capacity and change management abilities of senior officials of the Ministry of Interior, thus supporting a sovereign, stable, democratic Iraq”, declared Ambassador Martin Jaeger.

EUAM Iraq Head of Mission Anders Wiberg (left) and German Ambassador Martin Jaeger (right) during the signing ceremony in Baghdad on 2 November 2022

The Pilot National Database for Cultural Heritage Protection (CHP) in Iraq project is based on the development of a digital solution for the identification, tracing and recovery of stolen or missing Iraqi cultural artefacts. The database, which is to include descriptive information such as pictures, shapes and dimensions of the goods, will be first tested on a small scale before final development later on.

“Protecting and promoting cultural goods is a key driver for peace, reconciliation, and mutual understanding. With the renewed support of Germany, EUAM Iraq is proud to contribute to the fight against the illegal trade of cultural artefacts and the safeguarding of Iraq's invaluable cultural heritage, underlined Head of Mission Anders Wiberg.

Once operational, the database will reinforce the Iraqi investigation capacity with a highly effective tool enabling law enforcement officers to analyse and interpretate large amounts of CHP data, map criminal networks and spot suspects and locations involved in cultural artefacts trafficking. 

Often described as “the cradle of civilisation”, Iraq is home to more than 10,000 cultural heritage sites ranging from the 5,500-year-old cities of Sumer - where evidence of the earliest writings in the world are preserved - to archaeological remains of the Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Parthian cultures.

EUAM Iraq experts examining a cultural heritage artefact at the National Museum in Baghdad in July 2021

The other project signed at the German Embassy is the second phase of the Senior Strategic Leadership (SSL) and Change Management Programme for the high-level commanders in the Ministry of Interior (MoI) within the Security Sector Reform framework, a pilar of EUAM’s mandate in Iraq. 

“We are thankful to Germany for granting this important investment which is the milestone for the consolidation of extensive support to the Senior Strategic Leadership capacity in MoI”, recalled Cristina Meuller, EUAM Senior Strategic Adviser on Human Resource Management. 

The SSL II programme consists of two selected steps of capacity-building activities, including 5-day strategic leadership foundations workshops and 3-day pilot in-depth sessions with a focus on key security sector management topics.

Read more about previous Cultural Heritage Protection and Senior Strategic Leadership initiatives: 

EUAM Iraq compiles publication on Legal Aspects of the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Iraq (19 May 2022)

Legal Aspects on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Iraq (Proceedings of the Legal Symposium, 28 February-1 March 2022, Baghdad)

Workshop enhances strategic leadership capacity at the Iraqi MoI (1 November 2021, Baghdad)