Iraq seeks to become global energy production hub: Premier

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi urged neighboring countries and partners on Friday to join Iraq’s Development Road project linking the Grand Faw Port to Türkiye and onward to Europe.

He said Baghdad is working to expand and diversify oil and energy export routes to global markets.

Addressing the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Al-Zaidi said the Development Road represents “an important gateway and a strategic corridor for trade, investment, industry and energy,” linking East and West from the Grand Faw Port through Türkiye to Europe.

“We want the Development Road project to be open for partnership with all our neighbors and friends,” he said.

Al-Zaidi said connecting countries in the region through ports, railways, energy lines, trade and investment will strengthen shared interests and give them a greater stake in protecting regional stability.

The Development Road is a strategic project aimed at connecting the Grand Faw Port in southern Iraq with the Turkish border through a network of railways and highways, providing a freight corridor between the Gulf and Europe through Iraqi and Turkish territory.

He voiced concern, however, over disruptions affecting transportation and maritime navigation and their role in driving up global energy prices.

To contain those risks and their repercussions, Al-Zaidi said Iraq is working to diversify its oil export outlets and develop energy routes linking the country with Türkiye, Jordan, and Syria, with access to global markets.

He said the measures aim to contribute to energy security and diversify supply routes.

The premier said his government also aspires to make Iraq a global hub for energy production and use the country’s capabilities to strengthen regional and international security and stability.

Al-Zaidi described economic diversification based on genuine partnerships as a central strategic objective of the government’s economic policy.

He said that with the end of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, Baghdad is moving its relationship with strategic partners from military cooperation toward economic and development cooperation serving mutual interests.

He said he wants greater international openness toward Iraq, describing the country as “a genuine partner capable of contributing to security and stability.”

He said Baghdad extends its hand to all countries based on respect for sovereignty and good-neighborly relations, and supports dialogue and diplomacy to defuse crises and resolve disputes.

On domestic security, Al-Zaidi said the state will continue to retain sole authority over decisions of war and peace and that weapons and instruments of force must remain in the hands of constitutional institutions.

He added that the Iraqi people had suffered greatly from wars, paying a heavy price in lives, resources and lost development opportunities.