Baghdad – INA
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Wednesday his support for the new government to continue its diligent work and build upon its successes to serve the people. He also affirmed his support for all decisions the government will make in the public interest.
In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) and published by his media office, al-Sudani said, “Our government was formed in late October 2022, following a dangerous political turning point that shook the country. It has succeeded in transitioning to a program-based budget instead of an expenditure-based budget, and in implementing digital transformation and banking reform.”
He added, "We faced regional and international challenges, and we worked to keep the conflict away from our land and our people. We also faced other multifaceted challenges across all sectors. Our government program focused on five priorities: combating corruption, fighting poverty, addressing unemployment, implementing financial and administrative reforms, and providing services." He explained, "We adopted a balanced diplomacy and avoided alignment with regional axes, which positively impacted internal stability."
He continued, "Achieving stability attracted more investments, exceeding $114 billion, amidst a clear urban development boom. We also addressed the legacy of over 5,300 stalled projects, successfully resolving and bringing 3,250 of them into operation."
He pointed to "the increase in electricity production to 29,000 megawatts, with the expansion of the national grid, enhanced distribution capabilities, and the development of power plants." He emphasized, "We resumed work on hundreds of stalled healthcare projects and completed 22 new hospitals, increasing bed capacity, adopting joint management, and implementing the Health Insurance Law."
He added, "New factories were established, and self-sufficiency was achieved in iron, fertilizers, cement, sugar, flour, and cooking oil. In addition, 5,430 new industrial projects were launched, and we completed the localization of the pharmaceutical industry, increasing the percentage of locally produced medicines from 10% to 40% of national needs."
He continued, "The government provided support to farmers despite the financial crisis, and we achieved self-sufficiency in wheat production, which reached 6.2 million tons in 2025." He pointed out that "agricultural yields for various products increased by 18% over three years, and poultry meat production increased by more than 120%."
He explained that "the unemployment rate decreased from 16.5% to 13.5%, and we provided support for small businesses and protected local products. We also provided final solutions to the issue of job classifications and implemented genuine reforms to the private sector environment, recognizing it as a key partner."
He added, "The energy and oil investment sector has witnessed significant development and progress in halting gas flaring and utilizing it, reaching 74% compared to 52% when our government assumed its duties. The total refining capacity of refineries has also increased from 600,000 barrels per day in 2022 to approximately 1.2 million barrels per day by early 2026."
He pointed to "the signing of contracts and agreements with major international oil and energy companies, which confirms the level of global confidence in the Iraqi economy and our government's measures. Decisive steps have been taken in planning and implementing the Development Road project, which has entered its first phase and will provide 100,000 jobs."
He explained that "the Development Road project, spanning 1,200 kilometers, will serve as a route for 15 million passengers and 22 million tons of trade and transport, creating a hub for interconnected interests and a confluence of promising opportunities."
In his address, Al-Sudani continued, "We held provincial council elections after years of delay, enabling them to fulfill their role in responding to citizens' aspirations and electing local governments. We also conducted the first national census in 38 years, providing a crucial database for any development process or sound planning."
He emphasized that "Iraq's external debt has decreased from approximately $13 billion to around $10 billion, and annual inflation has dropped from 7.5% to 2.7%." He also noted "the implementation of the ASYCUDA system at border crossings, which has increased revenues, curbed waste, and preserved the national industrial, agricultural, and commercial sectors."
He added, "Our government has maintained the pace of development projects and ensured operational expenses and salaries, including social security and the salaries of employees in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq." He explained that "when our government assumed its duties, the internal debt was approximately 70 trillion dinars, while domestic borrowing over the past three years amounted to approximately 46 trillion dinars, of which we have repaid 19 trillion dinars."
He added, "The government has focused on supporting the social and economic role of youth within the 'Riyada' (Leadership) initiative, and tens of thousands of small loans have been granted to young entrepreneurs." He also noted, "We have implemented 25 water treatment projects, including four major projects in the Baghdad area, and achieved a significant increase in sewage network coverage to 74% of Iraq."
Al-Sudani announced, "We have completed approximately 1,000 kilometers of new highways, constructed 12 new bridges, and implemented 16 projects to alleviate traffic congestion in Baghdad, in addition to more than 725 projects across the country. The first phase of the Grand Faw Port project, with its five sub-projects, has also been completed, and the file is now ready for announcement to operators."
Al-Sudani continued, "The Karbala and Mosul International Airports have been opened, and the Nasiriyah Airport is nearing completion, along with railway and electricity interconnection projects, and the completion of service projects related to the millions of pilgrims visiting the holy sites and the reconstruction of the poorest provinces." Al-Sudani pointed to the construction of 1,943 new school buildings and the maintenance of thousands of existing buildings—an unprecedented rate in the history of school buildings in Iraq—as well as the recovery of over $383 million and the extradition of 33 individuals from abroad, in addition to the completion of 460 other extradition cases.
The Prime Minister stated that the broad participation in the elections was a true expression of popular satisfaction and acceptance of all that the government has accomplished during its three years in office, affirming the government's determination to support the public.
