Audit Bureau President Radhi Hamadeen on Tuesday inaugurated a workshop on auditing and verifying indicators related to World Bank loans and grants.

The three-day workshop brings together officials from Iraq’s Federal Board of Supreme Audit, the Kurdistan Region Board of Supreme Audit and the Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs as part of the Social Safety Net Project in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Hamadeen stressed that the Jordanian Audit Bureau is committed to sharing its expertise and experience with its Iraqi counterparts to help develop audit practices and enhance institutional performance for the benefit of both countries.

Hamadeen reviewed the bureau’s development since its establishment in 1921, highlighting key legislative milestones, including the adoption of the 1952 Constitution and subsequent amendments to the Audit Bureau Law to ensure alignment with international auditing standards.

He also outlined the bureau’s constitutional role and its relationship with Parliament and the government.

Hamadeen said the workshop covers the bureau’s experience in preparing audit reports and mechanisms for discussing them with Parliament, in addition to efforts to enhance public engagement through its annual press conference following the submission of its annual report.

“The bureau also follows up on feedback from citizens and specialists regarding the annual report, with greater attention given to issues of relative significance,” he said.

He highlighted the bureau’s mechanisms for following up on audit observations with government entities, including the AB-MRT electronic system, which was developed to accelerate the implementation of audit recommendations and improve coordination with audited entities.

Hamadeen said that the Audit Bureau has achieved around 92 per cent of the targets set under its 2024–2027 strategic plan, noting progress in capacity building and professional certification.

He added that the bureau remains committed to supporting public sector development by strengthening internal control and audit units in line with the Public Sector Modernisation Roadmap.

Senior Financial Management Specialist at the World Bank in Iraq Hawazen Douri praised the Jordanian Audit Bureau for hosting the workshop and sharing its expertise in auditing World Bank-funded loans and grants with Iraqi participants.

Douri said the workshop would contribute to strengthening the capabilities of Iraqi auditors through the exchange of expertise between the two sides.

He added that the workshop, delivered by experts from the Jordanian Audit Bureau and the World Bank, covers specialised topics including operational and compliance audit methodologies, World Bank financing agreements, auditing donor-funded projects, cash transfer programmes, payment verification procedures, audit protocols and best practices in preparing audit reports.

The opening session concluded with a discussion during which Hamadeen responded to participants’ questions on the workshop’s themes and the bureau’s experience in audit and oversight.