26 May 2025

Organization’s profile

Ufuq Organization for Human Development is an Iraqi non-governmental organization founded in 2013 and based in Baghdad. It works to advance the rule of law, accountable governance, and human rights through programs grounded in Sustainable Development Goal 16. Ufuq adopts a human rights-based approach to combating corruption, focusing on civic engagement, legal reform, and institutional transparency.

The organization has led several national initiatives aimed at improving public sector accountability, simplifying bureaucratic procedures for civil society, and strengthening the oversight capacities of parliamentary committees. Ufuq’s research and advocacy have highlighted the intersection of corruption with shrinking civic space and legal ambiguity affecting NGOs in both federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Ufuq contributes actively to regional and international anti-corruption platforms and has facilitated national consultations on Iraq’s implementation of the UNCAC. It engages with UN mechanisms and international partners to support legal reforms that promote transparency, public access to information, and citizen oversight.

Through strategic partnerships with civil society networks and public institutions, Ufuq seeks to empower local actors to demand integrity and justice as cornerstones of sustainable peace and development.

Website: https://ufuqorg.org

Organization’s experience

Ufuq Organization for Human Development has actively engaged in anti-corruption efforts in Iraq with a strong focus on human rights and civic participation. Ufuq adopts a human rights-based approach to combating corruption, working to ensure transparency, accountability, and public oversight through legal and policy reform.

The organization has contributed to Iraq’s UNCAC implementation through shadow reporting, national consultations, and engagement with public institutions. Ufuq has collaborated with the Federal Commission of Integrity to support compliance with UNCAC standards and enhance civil society participation in oversight mechanisms.

As part of its work, Ufuq has developed practical tools to localize anti-corruption norms, including a national guide on the human rights-based approach to combating corruption. The organization has trained over 150 civil society organizations across Iraq on these principles. It has also cooperated with Transparency International and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to co-develop and deliver the “Youth Transparency Code,” training 80 ministry staff.

Ufuq contributes to UNCAC Coalition initiatives and dialogues, with a focus on amplifying the voices of actors from fragile contexts. Its work bridges global standards with national realities and supports inclusive, rights-based anti-corruption strategies.

Top 3 priorities to achieve as a CCC Member

• I aim to amplify the voices of civil society actors from fragile and conflict-affected contexts, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. This includes creating inclusive spaces within the Coalition for grassroots and underrepresented organizations to engage meaningfully in UNCAC processes and global anti-corruption advocacy.
  
• I will work to promote and mainstream the human rights-based approach (HRBA) within the Coalition’s strategies, emphasizing the intersection of corruption with human rights violations, civic space restrictions, and social inequality. This includes sharing tools, good practices, and capacity-building resources tailored to HRBA in diverse contexts.
  
• I will support the development of mechanisms to improve civil society participation in monitoring UNCAC implementation at the national level. This includes encouraging collaboration between CSOs and oversight bodies, promoting access to information, and supporting alternative reporting efforts that reflect community-level realities.

Candidate’s profile

Wisam Ibrahim is the Executive Director of Ufuq Organization for Human Development, based in Baghdad, Iraq. He holds a Master’s degree in Anthropology, combining academic insight with practical experience in governance, anti-corruption, and civil society empowerment. He has extensive experience in anti-corruption work grounded in the principles of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and a human rights-based approach. Wisam has actively participated in UNCAC Coalition civil society engagements and contributed to national consultations and shadow reporting on Iraq’s implementation of the Convention.

As a national expert contracted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Iraq, he developed and delivered specialized training on the human rights-based approach to combating corruption. This program, based on a guide he authored, reached over 150 civil society organizations across Iraqi governorates, equipping them with tools for rights-centered anti-corruption strategies.

He has provided expert consultations to Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity to support alignment with international standards. In partnership with Transparency International, he co-developed the “Youth Transparency Code” for youth public projects, training 80 Ministry of Youth and Sports staff. Wisam’s work reflects a strong commitment to integrating international anti-corruption norms with local reform efforts and empowering civil society for effective governance and transparency.

Contributions to the work of the Coalition

I will contribute to the UNCAC Coalition by bringing extensive expertise in applying a human rights-based approach to anti-corruption, grounded in practical experience in Iraq’s complex context. With an academic background in anthropology, I emphasize the importance of cultural and social factors in shaping effective anti-corruption strategies. My work at Ufuq Organization focuses on empowering civil society through capacity-building, policy advocacy, and fostering transparency and accountability. Having trained over 150 organizations and collaborated with Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity, I aim to strengthen inclusive civil society engagement and promote context-sensitive, rights-based approaches that bridge international norms with local realities.

Candidacy & Interest Disclosure