Al-Sudani Hosts Inaugural Conference for Five-Year National Development Plan

INA-  Baghdad




Media Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency INA that “Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired the inaugural session of the Five-Year National Development Plan conference, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and the United Nations Development Program, scheduled from November 26-28.”
 
Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized in the statement “the government's commitment to strategic plans aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 during his speech at the conference. He urged active participation in crafting a five-year national development plan tailored to Iraq's genuine development needs.”
 
“The Prime Minister commended the Ministry of Planning for crafting the crucial document and acknowledged the contributions of experts and the support from the United Nations Development Program and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in assisting the Iraqi government's efforts, the statement also said.
 
 
 Al-Sudani highlighted “Addressing the challenges necessitates holistic plans for medium and long-term comprehensive development, indicating that “ Iraq faced development setbacks since the 1980s due to wars, sanctions, and counter-terrorism operations.”
 
The prime minister stated that “Our government prioritized reinvigorating development and initiating comprehensive development plans, affirming that “ Our government actively resumed development efforts, accelerating the implementation of over 7,000 existing projects and initiating new ones with increased developmental and service impact.”
 
 
Al-Sudani stressed that “The government has prioritized strategic projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Vision 2030, encompassing infrastructure, clean energy, the Development Road, Al-Faw port, and more, signalizing that “The success of the five-year plan relies on optimal conditions, requiring active participation and coordination among the relevant authorities, including the governorates.”
 
 
 PM Al-Sudani confirmed that “The government, in its early stages, backed the governorates through the Higher Commission for Coordination between the Governorates, leading to significant changes within the first year of its term, assuring that “ The upcoming governorate councils will be a significant enhancement, and we ensured optimal conditions for successful elections, allowing each governorate to have representatives whose work complements that of the governor.”
 
 
He indicated that “It is time for the new development plan to have economic dimensions based on the philosophy of economic diversification, and the government has initiated steps toward economic diversification, exemplified by the establishment of the Iraqi Fund for Development, with the goal of fostering a comprehensive investment environment in the country.”
 
He also said that “Initiatives have been launched that aim to change the pattern of the rentier economy, such as Riyada initiative, which helps young people invest their ideas in productive sectors, pointing that “ The tripartite budget included a special clause to support the private sector by granting it sovereign guarantees, which will contribute to encouraging the business and investment environment in the country.”
 
The prime minister affirmed that “We are working hard to support the private sector, and to complete the formation of its development council, as it represents the primary partner of the government sector, clarifying that “Success in achieving economic diversification, fostering a conducive investment environment, and actively engaging the private sector in development initiatives will undoubtedly bring about a transformative shift in our current reality.”
 
 
He confirmed that “We persist in constructing a network of economic relations between Iraq and nations worldwide, grounded in the principles of shared interests and mutual benefits, assuring that “ The government worked to reform the banking and financial sector, by automating all economic and service activities.”
 
Al-Sudani said that “We have initiated the automation of operations at border crossings and transitioned towards electronic payment in all market and commercial transactions, stressing that “The five-year development plan must adopt digital transformation, by adopting electronic systems in all aspects of life.”

 
He stated that “Accurate and comprehensive census data on the population, their residences, and workplaces are essential for the success of development plans, that We have decided to conduct the population census in 2024 and directed the provision of all financial and logistical requirements for its success.”
 
 
Al-Sudani pointed out that “The five-year development plan should create space to achieve good governance, put in place appropriate mechanisms to fight corruption, and dry up its sources wherever they are, affirming “ The existence of an attainable Five-Year Development Plan indicates a state of security, political, social, and economic stability.”
 
 
PM Al-Sudani said that “The outcomes of development plans must positively impact vulnerable segments of society, addressing housing, education, and healthcare, enhancing income levels, and mitigating the effects of climate change, confirming that “During first year, the government focused on combating poverty and addressing unemployment rates through the social protection network, enhancing the food basket, prioritizing health and education projects, services, and infrastructure. Efforts were made to break the cycle of poverty in poor families, and a fund was established to support the most impoverished areas.”