Baghdad: In a significant move to bolster Iraq’s agricultural sector, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi announced a comprehensive package of initiatives aimed at enhancing agriculture and supporting farmers. This announcement was made during the inauguration of the 17th Agricultural Week, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and attended by key officials and industry representatives.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Zaidi emphasized the importance of developing the agricultural sector to boost local production, enhance food security, and contribute to the national economy. He highlighted Iraq’s rich resources and the government’s commitment to investing in these to achieve sustainable development. The Prime Minister toured the exhibition at the event, which showcased advancements in agricultural products, technologies, and projects.
Al-Zaidi underscored the government’s economic vision, focusing on providing job opportunities and reducing import dependency. He also announced efforts to support journalists and elevate media standards, as emphasized by Muayyad al-Lami, head of the Arab Journalists Union, in a separate meeting with Jaafar Al-Wannan, advisor to the Speaker of Parliament for Culture and Media Affairs.
The meeting discussed challenges faced by the journalistic community and strategies to enhance media professionalism. It highlighted the need for cooperation to serve the public interest and address obstacles in the media landscape.
In another development, President Nizar Amidi stressed the national decision to restrict weapons to the state, aiming to prevent Iraq from being drawn into regional conflicts. During the Eighth Baghdad Dialogue Conference, he conveyed Iraq’s stance on avoiding involvement in ongoing wars in the region and confirmed that discussions with Iranian officials reaffirmed Iraq’s sovereignty in this decision.
Prime Minister Al-Zaidi also announced the continuation of efforts to combat corruption and provide residential plots for citizens, ensuring secured employee salaries. He detailed plans for economic reforms, focusing on expanding oil exports and renewable energy use, while reiterating Iraq’s role in regional stability and development.
Speaker of Parliament Haibat al-Halbousi confirmed ongoing anti-corruption efforts and legislative reforms, including the introduction of the Popular Mobilization Forces law to Parliament. He emphasized the importance of restricting weapons to the state and the constitutional nature of this initiative.
These developments reflect Iraq’s strategic focus on agricultural development, media support, and sovereignty in regional affairs, marking a new phase of reconstruction and economic growth for the nation.