Baghdad: The Sunday newspapers focused on preparations for the upcoming Baghdad International Energy Forum, scheduled to be held early next month, in addition to coverage of the Arab Forum on Tourism Statistics.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Zawraa newspaper highlighted the statements of OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Faisal Rashid Al-Ghais, who stressed that the forum represents a strategic platform for global energy. He pointed out that OPEC’s participation reflects the organization’s and its member states’ keenness to strengthen cooperation and coordination in the oil and energy sectors.

In a message addressed to the organizers, Al-Ghais noted that Iraq, being one of OPEC’s founding members, plays a pivotal role in maintaining the stability and balance of global energy markets. He added that the forum provides an important opportunity to attract experts, investors, and international partners to develop Iraq’s capacities and enhance its role in the energy industry.

He further emphasized t
hat the forum’s success would make Baghdad a permanent hub for dialogue and strategic agreements in this vital sector, expressing hope that the event would become a global tradition regularly held in Iraq.

It is noteworthy that the forum will be held on September 6-7, 2025, at Al-Rashid Hotel in Baghdad, under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. The event is organized by ‘Ghad’ Risk Management Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Oil and the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), with the participation of energy ministers, major international energy companies, and experts from Iraq and abroad.

In the field of tourism, Al-Sabah newspaper reported that Baghdad will host the Arab Forum on Tourism Statistics on Monday, under the auspices of the Arab League and with wide participation from Arab and foreign experts and specialists. The event highlights the capital’s growing status on the regional and international tourism map.

The paper explained that this forum comes as part of
a series of activities prepared by the Tourism Authority of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities to mark the conclusion of Baghdad’s designation as the Arab Capital of Tourism for 2025. These activities include three major conferences, alongside festivals and various events aimed at consolidating Baghdad’s position as a central hub for Arab and global tourism.

The official spokesman for the Tourism Authority, Ali Yassin, stated that the Authority has developed a comprehensive program to coincide with the conclusion of Baghdad’s Arab Capital of Tourism activities. The program includes organizing three Arab and international conferences. The first is the Arab Forum on Tourism Statistics, which will be held on September 1 under the sponsorship of the Arab League, with the participation of experts from the Ministry of Planning and leading international specialists in the field of statistics.

He added that the second event will be the Meeting of Arab Tourism Ministers, scheduled to take place in Bag
hdad next December. This is considered the most important of the three conferences, as it represents a prominent Arab event that places the Iraqi capital at the forefront of regional tourism interest. The third conference, titled ‘Inclusiveness of Tourism Destinations,’ will be held next October and aims to apply international standards in classifying tourist facilities and first-class hotels in the country.