Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a meeting on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and expand exchanges across various sectors for the mutual benefit of their nations.
During the meeting, the leaders also addressed incidents involving the insulting of the Holy Quran and actions that incite hatred and extremism. They jointly condemned such acts as incompatible with the principles of freedom of expression and as direct affronts to Muslim beliefs that must be confronted.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani commended Malaysia’s experience, the performance of its companies, and its reputation in various development sectors. He emphasized Iraq’s desire to enhance economic partnerships, with a particular focus on infrastructure development. Prime Minister Al-Sudani highlighted the vast opportunities available in Iraq, including the ambitious Development Road Project.
The Development Road Project is a substantial $17 billion infrastructure initiative in Iraq designed to establish a new motorway and rail network connecting Asia to Europe. The project’s main objective is to link the southern port city of Basra with the Turkish border, integrating with existing rail and road networks leading to Europe.
This project is being funded by a consortium of Iraqi and international investors and is expected to be completed by 2028. It holds the potential to generate thousands of jobs and significantly bolster Iraq’s economy.
The meeting concluded with an invitation for Prime Minister Al-Sudani to visit Malaysia, facilitating further discussions and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The exchange marks a positive step towards fostering cooperation and collaboration between Iraq and Malaysia on various fronts.
