Iraq is preparing to launch a national data governance framework that will establish rules for information sharing between government institutions, strengthen digital sovereignty and introduce safeguards for citizens’ privacy.
The initiative forms part of a wider government effort to modernise public administration, dismantle institutional data silos and improve decision-making through the use of digital technologies.
Youssef Khalaf Youssef, Head of the Advisory Board in the Prime Minister’s Office, announced the forthcoming framework during the Internet Governance Iraq 2026 forum, organised by the Ministry of Communications.
The framework will define how government agencies exchange, manage and protect information while establishing requirements covering confidentiality, privacy and citizens’ digital rights.
It will also provide a roadmap for improving interoperability between public institutions, addressing longstanding administrative fragmentation that has constrained government modernisation.
Youssef said Digital Transformation must extend beyond converting paper transactions into electronic services, requiring fundamental changes to administrative processes, legislation and government decision-making.
He identified outdated regulations, security concerns and geopolitical pressures as significant obstacles to Iraq’s digital development.
The government is consequently pursuing a nationally tailored governance model informed by international standards rather than relying exclusively on imported technologies and administrative frameworks.
The announcement follows broader efforts to establish institutional structures supporting Iraq’s digital economy and modernise government operations.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Committee for Digital Transformation, chaired by the Prime Minister and comprising representatives from government institutions, is developing a comprehensive national strategy.
The forthcoming framework represents a significant step towards establishing consistent government-wide standards for managing Iraq’s increasingly valuable public-sector data assets.
