UAE Participates In Development Road Conference In Iraq

The UAE has taken part in the Development Road Conference in Iraq under the patronage of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shiaa Al-Sudani. Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei led the Emirati delegation to the conference.

The Development Road Conference, which kicked off on May 27, was attended by transport ministers and officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council and representatives of the European Union. Delegations from Iran, Turkiye, and Jordan, as well as representatives of the World Bank, also participated in the event.

The goal of the Development Road Conference was to establish the Development Road Initiative, which aims to connect southern Iraq to the border with Turkiye, then link it to European rail and road networks. Al Mazrouei said the project will benefit countries in the region, WAM reported. During the conference, he also recommended the formation of technical committees that will work on the project design and ensure the participation of other countries in the endeavor.

In a statement during the conference, Al-Sudani also said the project would provide an "economic artery and a promising opportunity to bring interests, history, and cultures together to make our region a destination for anyone seeking successful investment."

"The Development Road is an ambitious and well-studied plan towards a strong and successful economy. We see it as a cornerstone for a sustainable non-oil economy, serving Iraq's neighbors and the region and contributing to efforts for economic integration," he said. "It will take all the peoples of the region to an unprecedented stage of communication and integration, which means more stability and capability to face challenges."

In a separate speech, Iraqi Minister of Transportation Razzaq Muheibis gave an update on the status of the Development Road Project and the first phase of the Al-Faw Grand Port, which is currently under construction on the coast of Iraq, on the northern tip of the Persian Gulf.

"The Development Road is a project that is in the interest of the countries of the region, as we are consulting with neighboring countries regarding the Development Road and Al-Faw Grand Port projects. We have finalized the economic feasibility of the Development Road project," he said.