KR-I Ministry of Interior presents pilot efforts to simplify access to government administrative services using Information and Communication Technologies

The Ministry of Interior of the KR-I organized the conference under the auspices of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, H.E. Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, and with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The conference examined progress on efforts of the Ministry of Interior to simplify citizens’ access to basic government administrative services, such as the e-visa and the new drivers’ licence renewal system, through online electronic platforms that can be used also from the convenience of their homes. This comes under a project entitled E-Governance for Better Service Delivery that the Ministry launched in March 2017, with help from UNDP, aiming to improve the responsiveness, transparency, and accountability of its delivery of quality administrative services to the public. To that end, the project promotes the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including computer-aided platforms that can also be accessed remotely through the internet.



“The Ministry of Interior is committed to providing the quickest high-quality services to the citizens,” emphasized the Minister of Interior, Mr. Kareem Sinjari. “This will not only save considerable time and money for the citizens and Ministry alike, but it will help address potential administrative and financial corruption as well.”

The Ministry showcased its planned pilot Public Service Centres – new hubs equipped with automated ICT platforms to deliver a variety of administrative services to the community, such as issuing personal status certificates (birth, divorce, death, etc.). These centres will serve as an example for the wider application of e-governance in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.



“Responsive and accountable institutions are a key objective that UNDP is helping to achieve within its primary focus on democratic governance and peacebuilding in Iraq. Central to this objective is more efficient quality services to citizens whilst ensuring that no one is left behind.” said UNDP Country Director for Iraq, Mr. Mounir Tabet. “Any such effort must pay special attention to helping the most vulnerable and marginalized segments of the population, who may not have access to or experience with ICT platforms to be equally served with these modern means.”



Partners of the KR-I Ministry of Interior from Azerbaijan and the Asan Khidmet Institution, which have provided technical advice and know-how through the course of the project E-Governance for Better Service Delivery also participated in the conference.