Baghdad: Today’s newspapers focused on the preparations for the upcoming Baghdad Summit and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s commendation of the International Monetary Fund’s efforts in supporting Iraq’s financial and monetary institutions.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sabah newspaper reported that Baghdad successfully passed its initial test with the meeting of senior officials of the Preparatory Economic Council for the Council of the League of Arab States. This event marked the commencement of the Economic and Social Council meeting at the ministerial level. The summit has garnered significant media attention, reflecting Iraq’s intent to reclaim its influential role in joint Arab initiatives.
Informed sources have indicated that the preparatory meetings for the Fifth Arab Development Summit are concentrating on finalizing draft resolutions to be presented at the summit. Key priorities include Arab economic integration, activation of the free trade zone, and development of electrici
ty interconnection projects and transportation networks among Arab nations. The agenda also covers food and water security, the Arab Artificial Intelligence Initiative, digital transformation, technical education, and empowerment of youth and women, alongside building cyber capabilities and protecting Arab cultural heritage.
A source from the Ministry of Trade revealed that a meeting of the committee responsible for the Arab Development Summit’s follow-up and preparation will precede today’s ministerial meeting. This committee, chaired by Lebanon and including members from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain, Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco, will work alongside the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. The Economic and Social Council is set to begin its ministerial-level meeting following the committee’s discussions.
Al-Zaman newspaper highlighted the significance of Baghdad hosting two historic summits in a single day, emphasizing Iraq’s restored position in Arab decision
-making. Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, expressed gratitude to Iraq for hosting the summit, signifying Iraq’s recovery and emergence as a host for regional and international events. She noted the unprecedented nature of holding the Economic and Social Development Summit and the Arab Summit concurrently.
The Economic and Social Council meeting concluded at the senior officials’ level in Baghdad, with Iraq assuming the presidency of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit from Lebanon. Riyadh Fakher Al-Hashemi, Director General of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations at the Ministry of Trade, advocated for forming an Arab economic bloc to tackle development challenges and implement strategic projects. Mohammed Abu Haidar, from the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade, reinforced Iraq’s crucial role in joint Arab action.
Al-Zawraa newspaper reported on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s praise for the IMF’s support of Iraq’s financial and m
onetary institutions. The Prime Minister acknowledged the IMF’s contributions in restoring Iraq’s financial stability and emphasized the need for continued international support to address regional challenges and attract major development projects. IMF’s Jean-Guillaume Poulin commended Iraq’s progress in economic reform and expressed the IMF’s readiness to enhance cooperation and support in boosting non-oil revenues.