Al-Sudani reviews government account: Poverty and unemployment decrease electricity production leap

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced today, Wednesday, the most prominent achievements of his government over the past three years. Sudani said in a speech followed by Al-Sumaria News, "Our government work began on October 28, 2022, following a dangerous political turning point that swept the country and almost led to dangerous outcomes," noting that "we faced political challenges to ensure political consensus and financial challenges." He added, "We faced regional and international challenges represented in an escalating conflict that threatens to spread, and we worked to keep the fire away from our land and our people," explaining that "our government program was launched based on five priorities in combating corruption, fighting poverty, addressing unemployment, financial and administrative reform, and providing services based on the actual needs of citizens." He stated that "Iraq has been able to redefine its position through balanced diplomacy and expanding the scope of political initiatives while emphasizing non-alignment in regional axes," pointing out that "Iraq's investments exceeded more than 114 billion dollars." He continued that "3,250 projects were processed and operated out of 5,300 stalled projects," noting that "electricity production rates increased to the level of 29,000 megawatts." He added that "life returned to hundreds of suspended health projects, and service began in 22 new hospitals," noting that "we achieved self-sufficiency in iron products, fertilizers, cement, sugar, flour, and cooking oil, along with localizing the pharmaceutical industry." He emphasized "providing support to farmers in various details despite the financial crisis," pointing to "achieving self-sufficiency in the wheat crop, which reached 6.2 million tons in 2025." He indicated that "unemployment decreased from 16.5% to 13.5% within three years," noting that "we provided final solutions for the job grades file according to laws issued previously and not implemented." He showed that "963,000 new families were included in social protection," explaining that "poverty indicators fell from 25% to approximately 10% within three years." He confirmed "achieving great progress in stopping gas flaring and investing it, reaching an investment rate of 74% compared to 52% at the start of the government," noting that "the total refining capacity of Iraqi refineries rose from 600,000 bpd in 2022 to nearly 1.2 million bpd in early 2026." He pointed out that "Iraq signed ambitious contracts with major global companies such as BP, Total, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Halliburton," emphasizing "making decisive strides in planning and executing the Development Road, this dream project that became a reality and entered actual implementation in its first phase, providing 100,000 direct jobs." He mentioned that "the general census was conducted for the first time in 38 years, providing a pivotal database for any correct development or planning," noting that "Iraq's external debt over four years decreased from approximately 13 billion dollars to about 10 billion dollars." He indicated that "annual inflation decreased from 7.5% to 2.7%," noting that "we implemented the ASYCUDA system, which moved work at border crossings to an unprecedented level of control and organization." He confirmed that "our government was able to pay more than 19 trillion dinars of internal debt," pointing to "achieving a leap in the percentage of sewage network coverage to 74% of urban areas across Iraq." He showed that "we succeeded in building approximately 1,000 kilometers of new external roads and paving nearly 130 million square meters of streets," explaining that "12 new bridges were built, 42 others maintained, and 16 projects to relieve traffic congestion in Baghdad alone." He emphasized that "more than 725 projects were undertaken by the Service and Engineering Effort team across Iraq," noting the "completion of the first phase with its five projects at the Grand Faw Port." He followed, "We managed to recover more than 383 million dollars and 33 corruption suspects from abroad," explaining that "our government restored confidence in the electoral process and wide participation." The Prime Minister confirmed his "determination to support the new government."