This week in Baghdad, the Ministry of Planning of Iraq met with a World Bank delegation to discuss ways to fund vital infrastructure and sustainability projects. The meeting, led by Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs Dr. Maher Hammad Johan, focused on deepening cooperation around Iraq World Bank development projects.
The discussions centered on four key sectors: water, air pollution, river sanitation, and agriculture. These areas were chosen for their direct impact on both public health and long-term development. Iraq sees progress in these sectors as essential to building a stronger economy and improving citizens’ quality of life.
Dr. Johan made clear that Iraq’s goal is to push forward projects that align with government strategies. He stressed the importance of ensuring that new funding proposals from the World Bank do not overlap with current efforts. Instead, the goal is to complement ongoing work and fill critical gaps.
This meeting is part of Iraq’s broader drive to revive its economy through sustainable development. Dr. Johan explained that Iraq wants to make the most of external funding by focusing it on projects that are already moving forward. By doing so, the government hopes to complete major infrastructure initiatives more efficiently.
A follow-up technical meeting is expected soon. There, experts will examine the World Bank’s proposals in more detail to ensure each project meets Iraq’s planning priorities.
Also attending the meeting were Dr. Saher Abdul-Kadhim, Director General of the International. Cooperation Department, and Mr. Tahseen Mahmoud Muthanna, Director General of Government Investment. Senior staff from multiple departments also joined the talks.
This is new phase of cooperation with the World Bank signals a strong commitment to tackling Iraq’s environmental and agricultural challenges. If executed effectively, these Iraq World Bank development projects could boost job creation, reduce pollution, and improve public services across the country.