Archive | 2021

UN Condemns attempts to Discredit Iraqi Election

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez (Mexico): The members of the Security Council welcomed the Secretary-General's report on Iraq's electoral process and the assistance of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to that process, pursuant to resolution 2576 (2021). The members […]

LUKoil files Development Plan for Iraq's Eridu Oilfield

By John Lee. Russia's LUKoil and Japan's Inpex Corporation have applied to Iraq's state-owned Dhi-Qar Oil Company (DQOC) for what Lukoil describes as "commerciality of reserves", and filed a preliminary proposal on the development of the Eridu oil field within Block-10. According to Lukoil, geological exploration has proved significant reserves, making Eridu the largest discovery […]

Hill International wins contract for Downtown Sulaymaniyah

By John Lee. Hill International has reportedly been awarded a contract relating to the Downtown Sulaymaniyah project in Iraqi Kurdistan. According to Construction Week, the company will "support the selection of an international design consultant and manage, review and verify, as well as cost manage [the] development." Downtown Sulaymaniyah is the flagship investment project of […]

Nokia and Earthlink to build Iraqi National Backbone

Nokia and Earthlink to build Iraqi National Backbone with advanced high-speed IP metro network Nokia has announced that Earthlink Telecommunication, a prominent Iraqi Internet Service Provider (ISP), will use the Nokia solution to build a high-capacity IP metro transport network in 15 provinces in the country, as part of the Iraqi National Backbone project. Nokia […]

COP26: Call for Urgent Climate Action in Iraq

As COP26 negotiations conclude, call for urgent climate action in Iraq is louder than ever The United Nations in Iraq has welcomed commitments made at COP26 in Glasgow but stresses the need for urgent action on these promises to limit climate change's adverse impacts on human rights and sustainable development in Iraq. Commitments made at […]

West Qurna-2 produces its One-Billionth Barrel of Oil

By John Lee. Iraq's West Qurna-2 oilfield has just produced its one-billionth barrel of oil. At a ceremony to mark the event, which was attended by Lukoil President Vagit Alekperov, Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said the field started with production of 220,000 bpd, rising to 400,000 bpd, with plans for peak production of 800,000 […]

Economist Recommends Re-Valuing Iraqi Dinar

By John Lee. An Iraqi economist has said that re-valuing the Iraqi Dinar could be considered if certain conditions were met. Dhurgham Mohamed Ali is quoted by Shafaq News as saying: "The exchange rate of the dollar should be gradually reduced to 1,300 dinars [from the current 1,460 dinars] while keeping an eye on the […]

ZoodPay accelerates expansion in Iraq with $38m Fundraising

ZoodPay, the "Buy Now Pay Later" (BNPL) app, has announced that it has successfully completed a $38-million Series B fundraising. London based VC Sturgeon Capital, Zain Group's venture capital arm 'Zain Ventures', and other existing investors joined the funding round. Headquartered in Switzerland, the ZoodPay & ZoodMall app has already more than 8 million users […]

FT: The Future of Iraq is in the Balance

Writing in the Financial Times, David Gardner says that last week's assassination attempt on Iraq's prime minister has raised fresh questions about militias backed by Iran. Click here to read the full article (subscription required)

Iraq launches COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Health, today launched a national COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign covering all Iraq including the Kurdistan Region and targeting over 12 million people with children 12 years old and above. The campaign which commenced today will last until December 31st 2021, and will certainly […]

Iraq, UAE exchange Forensic Experience and Knowledge

Stronger forensic services: Iraq and UAE exchange forensic experience and knowledge Forensic evidence has an immense value in aiding criminal investigators, the police, and prosecutors, in bringing criminals to justice and solving crimes. In illicit trafficking and organized crime cases, forensic investigation can play a crucial role in providing and analyzing evidence for the adjudication […]