Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani chairs the eighth regular session of the Council of Ministers
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At the outset of the session, the Council addressed Iraq’s step of depositing the maritime boundaries map with the United Nations. The Council affirmed Iraq’s sovereign right over its land and territorial waters, with full commitment to international resolutions and the provisions of international law. It also emphasized Iraq’s commitment to maintaining the best possible relations with all neighboring countries in a manner that guarantees mutual rights and national sovereignty within a framework of constructive brotherly relations.
The Council of Ministers continued reviewing the measures taken to maximize revenues and rationalize expenditures across all ministries and state institutions. It approved the recommendations contained in the report of the team tasked with following up on the implementation of Council of Ministers’ decisions, as well as the directives of the Prime Minister in this regard.
The Council discussed its agenda and followed up on efforts to establish a floating platform for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG). It approved authorizing the Ministry of Electricity to contract with the U.S. company Excelerate Energy to establish the platform, pursuant to Council of Ministers Resolution No. 878 of 2025.
The Council also approved the continuation of contracts with previously contracted personnel, in accordance with Article (15) of the Emergency Food Security Support Law (No. 2 of 2022), for those still in service whose contracts had expired and who were not included under Article (66) of the Federal Budget Law (No. 13 of 2023).
Regarding vehicles entering the country in violation of the law, the Council approved the recommendations of the relevant committee formed for this purpose. It also directed facilitating procedures for re-exporting vehicles outside Iraq and mandated the Ministry of Interior and the General Authority of Customs to take necessary measures to prevent the unlawful entry of vehicles.
The Council approved that the General Company for Ports of Iraq take the necessary measures to reduce the government’s share of goods storage fees at the port to zero, and that the share of the joint operating partner not exceed 50% of storage fees. It also directed the General Company for Maritime Transport to take the necessary measures to reduce the revenues and fees of transport companies and shipping line agents by 75% of the amounts incurred by importers, effective from January 1, 2026, until April 15, 2026.
In the electricity sector, the Council approved recommendations concerning the settlement of dues owed to the local investor for the supply of electrical energy, as well as the payment mechanism outlined in the minutes. The Ministry of Electricity will send tables of supplying companies to the Ministry of Finance to carry out financial and accounting set-off and reconciliation.
In the clean energy sector, the Council approved exempting the environmentally friendly government buildings project, pursuant to Council of Ministers Resolution No. 1128 of 2025, to complete the commitments of the National Team for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects, by implementing the government buildings project covering 535 buildings.
The Council authorized the Ministry of Interior to sign the offer and acceptance letter related to modern electronic surveillance systems for the Iraqi-Syrian border.
As part of its follow-up on ministries’ and institutions’ implementation of decisions related to expenditure control, revenue maximization, and addressing the financial situation, the Council approved the recommendations of Diwani Order Committee (TSh 8 of 2026), as follows:
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