Joint Statement of the Ministerial Meeting to Discuss the Development Road Project

Baghdad - INA

The ministerial meeting of the Iraqi, Turkish, Qatari and Emirati transport ministers announced, at its conclusion, the issuance of a statement about the meeting that confirmed the approval of the coordinating entity to manage the work of the development road project and a number of points that enhance joint cooperation.

The Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, read the statement - attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA) - stressing that "the ministers held the second ministerial meeting and discussed the memorandum of understanding for joint cooperation on the development road project, which was signed on April 22, 2024 by the member states, namely the Republic of Iraq, the sisterly State of Qatar, the sisterly State of the United Arab Emirates, and the Republic of Turkey. In our keenness to activate joint cooperation between the member states and establish an effective mechanism for managing joint work, it was decided to establish the Quadrilateral Ministerial Council headed by the Minister of Transport in the Republic of Iraq and the membership of the Minister of Transport in the sisterly State of Qatar, the Minister of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure in the sisterly State of the United Arab Emirates, and the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure in the Republic of Turkey. 

Accordingly, the first Ministerial Social Council was held in Turkey on August 29, 2024, and the Minister of Transport in the Republic of Iraq and the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure in the Republic of Turkey participated in the meeting in person, and His Excellency the Minister of Transport in the sisterly State of Qatar and the Minister of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure in the sisterly State of the United Arab Emirates via video call."

He added, "The Ministerial Council held its second meeting on October 31, 2024, in person in Baghdad, the capital of the Republic of Iraq, where a visual presentation was reviewed, including the latest developments regarding the progress of work on the Development Road Project (project governance), and the powers and tasks assigned to each of the Ministerial Council, the executive team, the joint technical team, and the secretariat were guaranteed, and the strategic importance of the Development Road Project was recognized, and the strong ties between the member states were emphasized, based on strategic partnership, brotherhood, good neighborliness, mutual respect, and trust, and continuing to develop joint cooperation between the member states to achieve common strategic goals and set an example to be followed in neighboring countries, and emphasizing the importance of intensifying interconnection between the member states through linking with the Development Road Project."
He continued, "The Ministerial Council announces the joint statement of the meeting, which included the agreement on:

First - Adopting the coordinating entity to manage the work of the Development Road Project (governance) and the matrix of powers according to what was submitted by the project's executive team. Accordingly, a long-term work plan for the Development Road Project will be prepared to achieve the desired goals and achievements of the project.

Second - The Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Cooperation on the Development Road is open to the accession of countries wishing to participate in the Development Road Project and the approval of the member states, taking into account the provisions of the amendment contained in the Quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Cooperation on the Development Road.

Third - The joint cooperation necessary to implement all works related to the Development Road Project will be activated, including technical and engineering studies and consultations to complete the project requirements.

Fourth - Exerting and intensifying efforts to achieve the project's objectives, including that the Development Road constitutes an attractive international corridor for international land transport and a 
new effective and competitive alternative that works to increase trade exchange and facilitate movement and procedures between the member states.

Fifth - Working to achieve joint cooperation between the member states; to integrate transportation networks and provide effective and economic alternatives for transporting goods and passengers.

Sixth - Urging the States Parties to exchange information, experiences and lessons learned; to support the achievement of the objectives of the Development Road Project, provided that the Iraqi side (the Presidency of the Project) shall, following the Quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding, cooperate and provide information periodically and hold the necessary meetings for the Ministerial Council and the Executive and Technical Teams.  

Seventh - Working to create opportunities for effective and joint cooperation with relevant international organizations and bodies, including the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation and others, to benefit from their expertise and discuss financing and participation in the Development Road Project.

Eighth - The States Parties shall work jointly to study ways to link with the Development Road Project for the transport of goods and passengers; to increase the movement and volume of travel between the States Parties, and they shall contribute as much as possible to achieve this.