Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Monday that the federal government and local governments represent one body in the state, while stressing the need to support the security services in performing their tasks that consolidate stability.
According to Iraqi News Agency, the media office of the Prime Minister stated that Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi chaired the 3rd regular session of 2026 of the Supreme Authority for Coordination between Governorates. The session focused on the overall situation in the governorates, including service delivery and living conditions, as well as several issues and files on the agenda. Attendees included several ministers, the Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, the General Coordinator for Governorates Affairs, governors, chairpersons of governorate councils, and several advisers.
At the start of the session, the Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role of local governments in delivering public services and implementing government policies. He highlighted that local governments, along with governors, serve as the primary point of contact with citizens, who expect quality services regardless of political disputes.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the federal and local governments form a unified entity within the state, emphasizing that each governorate should adopt mechanisms to foster local development by attracting investment. He advocated for minimizing bureaucracy that impedes project completion and public service delivery.
Prime Minister Al-Zaidi also underscored the importance of supporting security agencies in their duties to reinforce stability and preserve civil peace. He mentioned the progress in the one million residential land plots project, explaining that land distribution among governorates would consider population size and poverty rates to ensure fairness and maximize the number of beneficiaries.
The session reviewed various files and decisions, leading to several approvals and recommendations:
1. To address the housing crisis, the session approved allocating residential land plots to beneficiaries under the Political Prisoners Foundation Law, following legally established priorities and regulations.
2. To boost local revenues, the session approved forming committees in governorates, led by the Assistant General Coordinator for Governorates Affairs, to develop strategies for enhancing local revenues, with recommendations to be submitted for approval.
3. To maintain water supply projects, the session approved empowering governorates and Baghdad Mayoralty to procure chlorine imports until the Al-Furat Plant expansion is completed. The Ministry of Industry and Minerals will expand production capacity according to a specified timeline.
4. The session approved the third quarterly report on drinking water in governorates, along with its recommendations.
5. To advance the health sector, the session approved proposals from the Ministry of Health, including creating a rapid response medical team for emergencies and multi-million-pilgrims events, with neighboring governorates providing support and logistical assistance.
6. Newly graduated medical students from Al-Mustansiriya University, Al-Nahrain University, and Ibn Sina University will train in their respective governorates, without needing to return to Baghdad Governorate.
7. Governors received the authority to request lifting agricultural reform restrictions per approved procedures and regulations.
8. The session approved recommendations regarding governorates' revenue shares from weigh stations, with 50 percent of collected revenues allocated to respective governorates per the amended Financial Management Law No. (6) of 2019.
9. The Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities will establish teams with representatives from the Coordination Authority to review municipal services, identify challenges, and submit reports and recommendations.
10. The session approved recommendations for the Karbala Commercial and Entertainment Gate Project and the Ewan Towers Residential Complex Project.
11. A committee will be established to investigate the failure to sign contracts and hand over land for projects such as Riyadh Al-Furatain Agricultural Investments and others.