Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning participated in a panel discussion held by the Iraqi Presidency of the Republic to discuss the possibility of enhancing the role of think tanks in decision-making within the country.
The President of the Republic, Mr. Nizar Amedi, emphasized the necessity of supporting research centers, regulating their legal framework, and providing everything they require for state-building under difficult circumstances, particularly so that these centers contribute to establishing security, combating corruption, and achieving economic reform in the country. In his speech, the Executive Director of Al-Bayan Center, Dr. Ali Taher Al-Hammood, emphasized the importance of the institution of the Presidency of the Republic, proposing that it serve as an intermediary between think tanks and other state institutions. Al-Hammood called for supporting think tanks in a manner that guarantees their complete independence and sustainability, proposing that various state institutions be directed to utilize think tanks within consultancy services.
The Director of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations, Ashraf Al-Dahan, spoke about the department’s orientation and determination to regulate the work of centers within a supportive legal framework, in addition to funding mechanisms that the department plans to extend to think tanks. Al-Dahan also called for holding an international conference under the auspices of the President of the Republic, bringing together local and foreign centers to exchange expertise.
The session witnessed the participation of a number of think tank representatives, who delivered interventions to advance the policy research sector in Iraq.
