
PM: The Arab and Development Summits reflected Iraq's strength and role
PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani met on Saturday a delegation of Arab media professionals who participated in the 4th Arab Media Conference, held in Baghdad last week.
Al-Sudani emphasized "the essential role of responsible and objective media in conveying facts to the public, especially concerning confronting challenges."
"Iraq is witnessing a qualitative shift across various aspects of life, public services, and development," he noted.
He also highlighted "the country's substantial efforts in launching strategic projects aimed at strengthening the national economy and achieving comprehensive integration, alongside ongoing infrastructure development and sustainable growth across all sectors."
"These advancements reaffirm Iraq's central and leading role in the region and its expanding engagement on the global stage," he pointed out, stressing that "the outcomes of both the Arab Summit and the Arab Development Summit, recently held in Baghdad, reflected Iraq's strength and its capacity to shape regional and international solutions."
Al-Sudani underscored "Iraq's growing stature serves as a pillar of strength for the Arab world, promoting regional stability, development, and shared interests, while expanding opportunities for deeper integration with neighboring Arab nations."
PM Al-Sudani paid "solemn tribute to the martyrs of the press who lost their lives during the aggression on Gaza and southern Lebanon," honoring "the sacrifices they made in exposing the suffering of the Palestinian people and bringing to light the crimes of genocide committed against them."
In turn, the visiting Arab media delegation extended its "congratulations to the Prime Minister on the successful hosting of the two summits in Baghdad, " commending "the rapid progress Iraq is achieving across multiple sectors."
They praised the country's ongoing reconstruction and development drive, describing it as a 'transformative chapter' in Iraq's modern journey.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraqi News
an hour ago
- Iraqi News
Mogadishu refinery find triggers Iraq's hunt for $100B in lost global assets
Baghdad ( – A startling revelation at the Arab Summit in Baghdad this May has jolted Iraq into confronting a forgotten legacy: a sprawling international portfolio of properties and investments, potentially worth at least $100B, that has languished in neglect and obscurity for two decades. The unexpected news of a large, Iraqi-built oil refinery still standing in Mogadishu, Somalia, has served as a dramatic wake-up call, triggering a renewed effort to trace and potentially reclaim these vast, squandered national assets. The ghost refinery in Mogadishu, constructed in 1978 under a bilateral agreement and largely forgotten by Iraqi officialdom since 2003, was brought back to Baghdad's attention by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He informed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani that the facility merely requires technical rehabilitation to become operational – a timely prospect as Somalia begins exploring offshore oil. This single revelation underscored a much larger, more complex issue: Iraq's dozens of lost properties scattered across three continents. During its oil-boom years in the 1970s and 1980s, Iraq strategically invested its wealth globally, acquiring an estimated 50 significant assets. These included luxury palaces and real estate in prime European locations like Cannes, France, Spain, the UK, and Italy; agricultural ventures such as tea, rice, rubber, and tobacco farms in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam; and diverse holdings in Africa, from tourist islands and agricultural factories in Mozambique and Nigeria to the aforementioned Somali refinery. This was a policy of extending economic and diplomatic influence. However, following the 2003 regime change, this global portfolio fell into disarray. Iraq's Parliamentary Integrity Committee previously revealed to news agencies that crucial ownership documents were stolen or destroyed. Some properties were illicitly transferred to individuals or shell companies linked to the former regime, while others simply vanished from official oversight, becoming a forgotten treasure. Early attempts at recovery highlighted the dangers. In 2012, an Iraqi Foreign Ministry delegation dispatched to Mozambique to inspect a state-owned asset, believed to be a palace on a tourist island, received direct threats from an armed group controlling the site, forcing their immediate withdrawal. The incident underscored the formidable challenges beyond mere legal claims. The Mogadishu refinery news has now spurred the Iraqi government into decisive action. Specialized legal and technical committees have been formed, and the Ministries of Oil, Foreign Affairs, and Justice are tasked with a coordinated global effort. This includes attempting to re-register properties, settle outstanding tax issues, and verify any remaining documentation. Legal experts suggest Iraq could pursue claims through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or negotiate bilateral agreements with host nations. They also stress the necessity of pursuing individuals and entities involved in the illicit appropriation of these assets, potentially through international arrest warrants via INTERPOL if sufficient evidence is available. For a nation facing ongoing economic challenges and heavily reliant on oil exports, the potential recovery or proper investment of these assets, valued around $100B, represents a monumental financial opportunity. Economists believe even partial success could generate sustainable revenue streams, offering a vital diversification away from almost exclusive dependence on crude oil exports for its budget. However, the path to reclamation is fraught with obstacles. Experts caution that some assets may now be subject to statute of limitations in their host countries, or may have been legally acquired by other parties during Iraq's two-decade absence from active management. Furthermore, concerns exist about potential internal political interference derailing recovery efforts, especially if assets are now linked to influential figures or complex, decades-old contracts that would be difficult to unwind without triggering intricate legal disputes. Despite these challenges, the surprise rediscovery of the Mogadishu refinery has ignited a new sense of urgency and hope. The Iraqi government's renewed commitment, if pursued with transparency, international cooperation, and persistence, could potentially unlock billions in national wealth that has lain dormant across the globe for far too long, offering a much-needed boost to its economic future. 5. Image Alt Text Suggestions: * 'Archival photo of the Iraqi-built oil refinery in Mogadishu, Somalia' * 'Map highlighting locations of potential lost Iraqi assets across Europe, Asia, and Africa' * 'Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud' * 'Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani' * 'Graph or visual representing the estimated $90 billion value of Iraq's forgotten assets' * 'A dilapidated historic building representing a neglected Iraqi asset abroad'


Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Israel killed +15 Palestinians, lost two soldiers in Gaza
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Israeli forces continued air and ground operations across the Gaza Strip, with at least 18 Palestinians killed in strikes since dawn, according to health authorities. A series of air raids struck the al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, contributing to the latest casualties. The overall Palestinian death toll has risen to 54,084 since October 7, 2023, with more than 123,000 people wounded. Amid the military campaign against the enclave aiming to dismantle its remaining infrastructure, and the mounting international calls for a humanitarian truce, the Israeli military reported that two soldiers were seriously wounded in separate incidents in the northern and southern areas of Gaza, where hostilities with Palestinian factions continue. One soldier was injured in the north during an exchange of fire, while the second sustained injuries in the south during ongoing military activity, the army said. Last week, Israeli forces also acknowledged the deaths of two additional soldiers during operations inside Gaza. Separately, the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released video footage of what it described as ''a coordinated ambush'' targeting Israeli forces east of Khan Younis. The operation, part of the group's ongoing 'Stones of David' series, was conducted on May 20 in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa School in the town of Al-Qarara. Explosives were detonated inside a building where Israeli troops had taken up position, followed by a secondary blast at a nearby tunnel entrance as reinforcements arrived. According to official Israeli figures, 858 soldiers have been killed since the war began on October 7, including 416 since the commencement of ground operations in the Gaza Strip.


Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Iraqi News
The Minister of Communications: International companies are interested in the Iraqi digital corridor project
Baghdad-INA Minister of Communications Hiyam Al-Yasiri confirmed on Friday that major international companies are paying great attention to the Iraqi Digital Corridor project. Al-Yasiri told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Work on the digital transformation file is being carried out in an integrated manner between the Ministry of Communications and the Communications and Media Commission, under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who heads the Supreme Committee for Digital Transformation in Iraq." She added, "The government has made digital transformation a priority, and the Prime Minister has adopted it as a fundamental criterion for evaluating the performance of all ministries." She indicated that "the ministries have worked hard to enhance the transition to digital services." She noted that "digital transformation contributes to maximizing revenues and is an effective tool in combating corruption by eliminating paper transactions." She explained that "major global companies such as Meta and Google are now paying close attention to the Iraqi Digital Corridor project." She continued, "This interest is the fruit of the government's recent successes, which have made Iraq a focus of attention for major global companies in this field."