Baghdad: Today, Monday, May 19, newspapers published in Baghdad focused on the outcomes of the Arab Development Summit and Iraq’s participation in the Investment Summit in Washington, alongside other issues, including summer crop fires.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sabah newspaper, published by the Iraqi Media Network, reported that the outcomes of the Arab Development Summit were met with enthusiasm by economic circles. The summit’s initiatives, aimed at enhancing Arab economic integration and promoting joint investment projects, were particularly highlighted. The “Development Road” project was proposed to connect Arab economies with Europe and Asia, emphasizing the modernization of infrastructure and activation of inter-trade agreements.
Economic circles commended the summit for its effective organization, portraying Iraq’s capacity to lead comprehensive Arab economic initiatives. Jassim Al-Aradi from the Baghdad Economic Forum noted that the summit’s focus on the rights of the Arab region
and practical development initiatives marked a significant departure from previous summits. Development consultant Amer Al-Jawahiri praised the summit for its world-class standards and the introduction of a joint Arab mechanism to regulate development performance.
Al-Zawraa newspaper, affiliated with the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, emphasized Iraq’s active role in the investment summit in Washington. Dr. Falah Al-Lami, head of the Iraqi Society for Computer and Information Technology, led the Iraqi delegation at the summit. The delegation, comprising representatives from various Iraqi regions, engaged in discussions with the US Department of Commerce and other officials, resulting in notable proposals such as opening branches of Samad and Top Organic restaurants in the US. The summit also facilitated transactions worth approximately $40 million between Iraqi and American companies.
The Iraqi delegation received invitations to participate in upcoming technology exhibitions, including the CIS technology exhi
bition in Las Vegas and the GATEX exhibition in Berlin.
In a separate report, Al-Zaman newspaper addressed the recurring issue of summer crop fires in Iraq, particularly affecting wheat and barley fields. These fires, attributed to high temperatures, poor machinery maintenance, and occasional sabotage, pose a significant threat to Iraqi food security. Observers stress the need for real solutions, such as activating an agricultural insurance system to support farmers.
Al-Zaman also reported on a major fire in Diyala Governorate’s largest natural forest, Kanaan Forest. The Civil Defense Directorate noted that the fire’s cause remains unknown, though drought conditions exacerbated its spread. Despite challenges, Civil Defense teams managed to contain the fire, preserving a significant portion of the forest, an important environmental landmark in the governorate established as part of the Green Belt Project in the late 1970s.