Iraqi Council of Ministers Convenes Under Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s Leadership, 4 OCT

 Iraqi Council of Ministers Convenes Under Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s Leadership, 4 OCT

Prime Minister Al-Sudani Chairs Council Session

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani, the Iraqi Council of Ministers recently conducted its 26th Regular Session. The session saw the Prime Minister emphasizing the crucial importance of the next six months for the government, following the recent approval of the three-year Federal Budget Bill. He directed ministries and government agencies to reduce delegations, particularly those involving ministers and deputy ministers, which he felt were affecting the efficiency of ministry operations.

Al-Sudani also urged leadership staff to remain dedicated to their roles beyond official working hours, underlining the need for them to be diligently present at their ministries and work stations, irrespective of vacations or the end of working hours. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of actively listening to citizens, arguing that doing so could enhance ministers’ work programs and expedite progress.

Decisions and Amendments

In addition to Al-Sudani’s remarks, the session saw the Council of Ministers reviewing the agenda’s topics and making several decisions. One of the significant decisions was to amend Cabinet Resolution 119 of 2021, as modified by Cabinet Resolution 283 of 2022. This amendment will add a member from the Ministry of Interior to the Higher Committee for Planning and Operating the Workforce, specifically concerning the residency of foreign workers.

In the sphere of import regulation and administrative reform, the Council endorsed the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for Economy No. 230128. The Council of Ministers decided to exclude all foodstuffs from Paragraph 2 of Cabinet Resolution 23055 for the year 2023, reaffirming the approval of pre-examination certificates from authorized bodies within the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Planning Central Agency for Standardization and Quality Control.

Other Significant Decisions

The session saw several other decisions being made on various topics. The Council approved the Bill for Intellectual Property Protection, which had undergone examination by the State Council. The bill will now be forwarded to the Council of Representatives under constitutional provisions.

The Council of Ministers also approved the donation of fixed assets, including furniture and equipment, from the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works to the road departments of several governorates, namely Diyala, Karbala, Babil, Dhi Qar, and Wasit.

Finally, the Council of Ministers approved a bill ratifying the strategic partnership treaty between the Republic of Iraq and the French Republic. The bill will be forwarded to the Council of Representatives under constitutional provisions.