In the Name of the People

Presidency of the Republic

Decision No. (35)

Based on the approval of the Council of Representatives pursuant to the provisions of Article (61), First, and Article (73), Third, of the Constitution,

The President of the Republic of Iraq has decided on 10 October 2013 to promulgate the following Law:

Law No. (36) of 2013

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Law

Chapter One

Establishment and Objectives

Article (1)

A ministry to be known as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hereby established. The Ministry shall enjoy legal personality and administrative and financial independence. It shall be responsible for implementing the foreign policy of the Republic of Iraq and shall be represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs or his/her duly authorized representative.

Article (2)

The Ministry shall pursue the following objectives:

First: To strengthen and develop relations with Arab States, neighbouring States, and other countries of the world on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs.

Second: To promote Iraq’s role in international organizations and conferences in a manner that serves the interests of Iraq and enhances international peace and security.

Third: To strengthen economic, commercial, technical, and scientific cooperation and encourage investment with foreign States and specialized international organizations.

Fourth: To defend the policy of the Republic of Iraq in various fields.

Fifth: To protect Iraq’s political and social interests and safeguard its nationals abroad.

Article (3)

The Ministry shall seek to achieve its objectives through the following means:

First: Managing and supervising the work of Iraqi missions accredited to Arab and foreign States and international organizations.

Second: Coordinating official visits conducted by Iraqi delegations to Arab and foreign States, as well as reciprocal visits, with a view to strengthening and consolidating existing relations.

Third: Coordinating with the relevant ministries and entities not affiliated with a ministry regarding the follow-up of conferences and the activities of international, regional, and global organizations.

Fourth: Conducting diplomatic and consular representation with Arab and foreign States and international organizations.

Fifth: Preparing for and participating in conferences, seminars, and training courses in various fields related to the Ministry’s functions.

Sixth: Coordinating with ministries and entities not affiliated with a ministry on international issues of common concern, particularly those relating to international borders and shared rivers.

Chapter Two

The Minister

Article (4)

First: The Minister shall be the highest authority within the Ministry and shall be responsible for implementing its policies, functions, and activities, ensuring their proper performance. Instructions, decisions, and orders relating to the functions of the Ministry and its departments shall be issued in the Minister’s name or by any person duly authorized by the Minister.

Second: The Minister may delegate some of his/her powers to any of the Deputy Ministers or to any Director General of the Ministry’s departments, in accordance with the law.

Article (5)

The Ministry shall have four (4) Deputy Ministers who shall perform the duties assigned to them by the Minister and assist him/her in the administration of the Ministry. They are:

First: Deputy Minister for Bilateral Relations.

Second: Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Legal Affairs.

Third: Deputy Minister for Political Planning Affairs.

Fourth: Deputy Minister for Administrative and Technical Affairs.

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Chapter Three

Organizational Structure

Article (6)

The Ministry shall consist of the following:

First: The Headquarters of the Ministry, comprising:

a. Office of the Inspector General.

b. Arab Department.

c. Neighbouring Countries Department.

d. Europe Department.

e. Americas Department.

f. Asia and Australia Department.

g. Africa Department.

h. International Organizations and Conferences Department.

i. Legal Department.

j. Economic Department.

k. Consular Department.

l. Department of Consular Affairs.

m. Human Rights Department.

n. Political Planning Department.

o. Media Department.

p. Foreign Service Institute.

q. Administrative Department.

r. Financial Department.

s. Protocol Department.

t. Communications and Information Technology Department.

u. Engineering Department.

v. Internal Audit and Control Division.

w. Office of the Minister.

Second: Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Republic of Iraq abroad.

Article (7)

The Inspector General shall perform his/her duties in accordance with the law.

Article (8)

First:

a. Each of the departments stipulated in Article (6) of this Law, as well as the Foreign Service Institute, shall be headed by an employee holding the rank of Ambassador, possessing the experience and expertise relevant to the functions of the respective department.

b. Each department shall have an Assistant Director who shall assist the Director General referred to in paragraph (a) of this item. The Assistant Director shall hold the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary or Counsellor in the political departments, or an administrative, technical, or accounting title equivalent to at least the rank of Counsellor in the technical departments.

c. The Director of the Legal Department and his/her Assistant shall hold, at a minimum, a Master’s Degree in Law.

Second: The Deputy Minister for Bilateral Relations shall supervise the departments referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of Item (First) of Article (6) of this Law.

Third: The Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Legal Affairs shall supervise the departments referred to in paragraphs (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), and (m) of Item (First) of Article (6) of this Law.

Fourth: The Deputy Minister for Political Planning Affairs shall supervise the departments and the Foreign Service Institute referred to in paragraphs (n), (o), and (p) of Item (First) of Article (6) of this Law.

Fifth: The Deputy Minister for Administrative and Technical Affairs shall supervise the departments referred to in paragraphs (q), (r), (s), (t), and (u) of Item (First) of Article (6) of this Law.

Article (9)

First: The Internal Audit and Control Division shall be managed by an employee holding the title of Director, who shall possess at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting and have not less than ten (10) years of professional service. The Division shall be affiliated with the Administrative Department.

Second: The Office of the Minister referred to in paragraph (w) of Item (First) of Article (6) of this Law shall be managed by an employee holding the rank of Counsellor or above and possessing the requisite experience and expertise.

Chapter Four

General and Final Provisions

Article (10)

The functions of the organizational units referred to in Article (6) of this Law, their subdivisions, and the functions of such subdivisions shall be determined by a Regulation.

Article (11)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Regulation No. (31) of 1976 shall remain in force insofar as it does not conflict with the provisions of this Law, until it is replaced or repealed.

Article (12)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs may issue instructions for the purpose of facilitating the implementation of the provisions of this Law.

Article (13)

This Law shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Statement of Reasons

For the purpose of strengthening the role of the Republic of Iraq in international and regional forums in a manner consistent with the Constitution and the ancient civilizational heritage of the Iraqi people, and in view of the necessity of enacting a law regulating the organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thereby enabling it to achieve its objectives, discharge its responsibilities, and perform its functions in the best possible manner, this Law has been enacted.