He was speaking during the debate of the UN General Assembly’s high-level segment, where he set out his country’s vision for economic growth, stability, and regional cooperation.
“We are moving forward to ensure that the State alone holds decision-making power over war and peace, and that weapons and instruments of power remain in the hands of its constitutional institutions, so that the law is the arbiter and the national interest is the compass,” he said.
He explained that the executive measures being taken in this area are moving in the right direction, as they form the basis for building a State of institutions, protecting sovereignty, consolidating stability and creating the environment needed for development and investment.
With the mission of the international coalition in Iraq now over, he said, “we are moving our relationship with our strategic partners into a new phase, from military cooperation to economic and development cooperation that serves our shared interests.”
He called on everyone to secure borders, address gaps and remain constantly vigilant to prevent an environment conducive to extremism from taking hold.
Energy and development
Mr. Al-Zaidi spoke about institutional reform, saying: “Our Government is waging a battle against corruption and the protection of public funds, and we are pursuing sustainable, substantive reforms to raise the efficiency of performance and improve services.”
He said Iraq is working to draw on successful expertise and innovative practices from the world of economics, finance and business to advance its economic and financial reform, and to provide a secure environment for domestic and foreign investment.
“Our ambition is for Iraq to become a global hub for energy production, and to make use of its capabilities to sustainably strengthen regional and international security and stability,” he said.
But he added: “We view with concern the repercussions linked to freedom of transport and maritime navigation, and the crisis they have caused in the form of rising energy prices worldwide.”
To contain these risks, he said, Iraq is working to diversify its oil export outlets and to develop energy lines and corridors linking the country with Türkiye, Jordan and Syria, reaching on to global markets.
He spoke of the Development Road project as Iraq’s comprehensive vision for regional integration and stability, describing it as an important gateway and strategic corridor for trade, investment, industry and energy, linking east and west from the Grand Faw Port, through Türkiye, to Europe.
“From the podium of the United Nations, we say to the world: invest with Iraq, for it has the resources, the market, the location and the will to build a new economy,” he said.
From conflict to integration
Mr. Al-Zaidi stressed that his country’s vision rests on helping to move the region from conflict to integration, from rivalry to cooperation, and from depleting resources to investing them in development.
He said Iraq reaffirms its support for dialogue and diplomacy to defuse crises, and for efforts to allow trade to pass through Iraqi territory, offering major facilities as alternatives to complex trade routes.
He pointed to the challenges posed by desertification and water scarcity facing Iraq, which affect its food security.
“We affirm our commitment to our legitimate and fair water rights, and we call for the shared management of water resources based on the principles of cooperation and international law,” he said.
He concluded: “Iraq has never been on the margins. It is the heart of history and the pulse of the present, and it is worthy of partnership for the future.”
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