Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - At a joint press conference by the Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, the US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman and Chief of Party at IGPA Mr. John Lister, the Iraqi Governance Performance Accountability (IGPA) project was launched in the Kurdistan Region.

The IGPA is funded by the US Agency for International Development, USAID.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani said opening an office of the International Development Agency in the Kurdistan Region is a joint work of the KRG and the US Government, USG, and by this action the United States reaffirms its support for the KRG.

He noted that reforms the KRG has initiated are structural reforms and that the KRG is diligently working on them.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani said major aspects of the IGPA project support financial and economic reforms and will complement the reform programmes already launched by the KRG.

Ambassador Silliman said the IGPA project would assist strengthening the KRG on many fronts as it involves developing the economic sector. He also reiterated US’ support for the people and government of the Kurdistan Region.

IGPA Chief of Party John Lister described capacity building plans to improve the quality of administration and finance intended to deliver better public services. He also noted that they would expand their services to reach areas most in need.