Baghdad:Iraqi newspapers on Monday focused on key initiatives related to development, infrastructure, and oil export strategies.

According to the National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Zawraa newspaper highlighted the launch of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iraq, set for 2025-2029. Deputy Planning Minister for Technical Affairs Maher Hammad Johan emphasized the framework’s role in enhancing cooperation between Iraq and the UN, aligning with Iraq Vision 2030, and integrating into the National Development Plan 2024-2028. He underscored the importance of national ownership and the integration of framework priorities into government plans and budgets.

Al-Sabah newspaper reported on the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities’ ambitious five-year infrastructure plan for 2026-2030. Ministry spokesman Istabraq Sabah outlined that the plan comprises 60 projects across various sectors, including municipalities, sewage, water, roads, bridges, and housing, structured into short-, medium-, and long-term phases. The newspaper also noted progress in Baghdad’s traffic decongestion efforts, with 14 out of 23 projects completed.

Al-Zaman highlighted Iraq’s strategic shift in crude oil export routes, moving beyond the Strait of Hormuz. This move is seen as a significant change in the country’s oil marketing approach. The Iraqi Oil Tanker Company successfully transported two million barrels of crude on a large tanker beyond the strait, enhancing the State Organization for Marketing of Oil’s (SOMO) sales and pricing flexibility. Director General Ali Qais mentioned the pursuit of acquiring specialized tankers to expand Iraq’s oil transportation and marketing capabilities.

Overall, the press coverage reflects Iraq’s strategic efforts to bolster development partnerships, accelerate infrastructure projects, and enhance flexibility in oil export operations.