Iraq: The Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, chaired the 23rd Regular Session of the Council of Ministers today (Wednesday), June 7, 2023. The session focused on discussing the country’s overall situation and addressing important economic and service-related matters. The Council of Ministers discussed the agenda items and issued several decisions.
The reports have claimed that to express support for Iraqi sports fans and the highly anticipated football tournaments, particularly the WAFF U-23 Championship 2023 hosted by Iraq in June, the Prime Minister has instructed the free broadcasting of all matches.
In addressing the rights of different national components, the Prime Minister has directed the Federal Service Council to expedite the implementation procedures of a prior Council of Ministers decision.
“This decision mandates that all ministries and non-Ministry affiliated agencies compensate job grades for individuals transitioning from national components and ensure replacements from within the respective national component.” Said the reports.
To expedite the rehabilitation of the Baghdad-Jurf Al-Nasr-Karbala road (the alternative road) ahead of the Arbaeen pilgrimage of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the Council of Ministers has approved the following measures:
1. The Ministry of Planning will include the rehabilitation project for the first part, consisting of a 13.5 km road section within Karbala Governorate and the construction of an iron bridge to replace the destroyed Fadhiliyah Bridge, as a component under the Roads and Bridges Maintenance section.
2. The Ministry of Planning has included the construction project for the second part of the road section within the Karbala Governorate, spanning 9 km, in the Karbala Governorate plan.
3. Approval has been granted to authorize the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Works, and Public Municipalities to assign one of its companies to implement the project exempt from the instructions for implementing government contracts.
As per the updates from the meeting, to enforce Resolution 215 of 2009, which pertains to vehicle import controls, the Council of Ministers has instructed the formation of a committee consisting of the General Traffic Department, customs authorities, and their counterparts in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Furthermore, the committee’s objective is to collaboratively draft a resolution outlining agreed-upon controls and instructions for the federal government and the regional government, ensuring effective implementation.
Similarly, the Council of Ministers has approved the Ministerial Council for Energy’s recommendation (23035) for 2023 regarding using gas as fuel for transportation vehicles.
The approval further entails that the Ministry of Finance will provide financial support by disbursing annual funds from the General Company for Gas, totalling an estimated sum of 5,250,000,000 dinars annually.
In line with the government’s commitment to alternative energy sources, the Council of Ministers has approved a bill that regulates renewable energy. The reports further mentioned that this bill, which has undergone auditing by the State Shura Council, is now being forwarded to the Council of Representatives.
“The approval process aligns with the constitutional provisions, considering the feedback from the legal department in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers,” said the Council of Ministers.
The Council also approved a set of recommendations that included the following:
– The Council of Ministers has approved the recommendation from the Ministerial Council of Economy to implement Council of Ministers Resolution (427 of 2012), ensuring the provision of necessary funds and the transfer of rent allowances for Iraqi schools located in Moscow, Bucharest, Sofia, and New Delhi.
-The Council of Ministers has approved the recommendations presented by the Higher National Committee for Regulating Human Organ Transplantation under the Ministry of Health. These recommendations pertain to the proposed first amendment to the Law on Transplantation of Human Organs and Prevention of Organ Trafficking, Law No. 11 of 2016. They will be forwarded to the Council of Representatives, considering the Legal Department’s opinion in the Council of Ministers General Secretariat.
Additionally, it has also been approved that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommendations regarding establishing a general consulate for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the holy city of Najaf.
It was also stated that the reopening of a general consulate for the Republic of Iraq in the Pakistani city of Karachi would also be considered. These decisions are in accordance with the provisions of Foreign Service Law No. 45 of 2008 and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1963.
In addition, on the occasion of World Environment Day, observed on June 5, 2023. In alignment with the government’s strong commitment to prioritize environmental and climate action, the Ministry of Environment has launched a comprehensive strategy to combat environmental pollution.
With the support and guidance of the Prime Minister, the strategy encompasses a range of present and future procedures and projects aimed at achieving strategic goals, including improving air, water, and soil quality, managing chemical, radioactive, and biological pollution, optimizing waste management, transitioning to renewable energy, and controlling emissions from the energy and industrial sectors.
In the end, it was noted that the strategy also focuses on strengthening institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks and fostering a participatory approach that involves the private sector, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders dedicated to reducing environmental pollution.
