Iraq reaffirms importance of protecting trade routes and calls for more efforts to stabilize the region

Baghdad, October 17 (KUNA) – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi stressed on Saturday the importance of ensuring freedom of trade and protecting international waterways, calling for greater efforts to achieve stability and peace in the region. He made these remarks during his opening address at the 52nd session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, hosted by the Iraqi capital Baghdad over two days.

Al-Zaidi said his country advocates for free trade, the protection of its routes, and the smooth flow of transport through international corridors, urging OIC member states to make further efforts to secure regional stability and peace.

He unveiled an Iraqi initiative aimed at integrated connectivity among energy, railway, transport, and digital communication networks, as well as developing digital payment systems and commercial platforms, and achieving integration among industrial zones. He stated that the initiative’s objective is to establish security, stability, and prosperity, and to enhance the capacity to confront crises and challenges.

Al-Zaidi noted that the Islamic world is currently facing growing challenges that test its ability to coexist and keep pace with economic, cultural, and media transformations. He pointed out that the crises unfolding on both the regional and international stages call for increased joint action to protect the interests of peoples, advance the causes of the Ummah, and ensure a future for coming generations.

He reaffirmed Iraq’s principled stance on the Palestinian issue, describing it as the core of the conflict in the region, and emphasized that justice for the Palestinian people and the guarantee of their rights are fundamental to the security and stability of the region.

Iraq assumed the chairmanship of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers at its 52nd session, which began earlier in Baghdad today. In a statement, session spokesperson Ambassador Husayn Kamal said the opening session witnessed the transfer of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers chairmanship from Turkey to Iraq for the current session.

He explained that the session will discuss a number of issues of common interest, foremost among them the Palestinian issue, developments in the Gaza Strip, current regional and international developments, and the review and approval of draft resolutions addressing various political, economic, social, humanitarian, and developmental files for the coming period.

He clarified that these discussions align with the theme of the session, aiming to enhance dialogue and solidarity among member states, support efforts to consolidate peace, expand areas of cooperation and joint action, and contribute to achieving sustainable development and serving the peoples of the Islamic world.

Working sessions are scheduled to continue today to discuss agenda items, with the session resuming the following day to complete discussions and review draft resolutions and documents presented to the Council.

The 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers of Member States began earlier today, with the participation of the State of Kuwait, whose delegation is headed by Yusuf Al-Tanib, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the OIC and Consul General in Jeddah.

The session, held over two days under the theme “Dialogue and Solidarity: Two Pillars for Enhancing Peace and Sustainable Development,” follows the completion of arrivals of representatives of OIC member states and observer countries, as well as a representative of the UN Secretary-General and representatives of approximately 40 non-governmental organizations. (End) A.H.H. / T.M.A.