Iraqi PM says country is at a crossroads

Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi claimed he did not belong to any political bloc. (File/AFP)
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Updated 28 December 2020
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Iraqi PM says country is at a crossroads

  • Kadhimi said central role of his government was to hold early elections

Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi said on Monday that Iraq was at a cross roads during a meeting with his ministers.

Kadhimi – who claimed he did not belong to any political bloc – said that the central role of his government was to hold early elections.

“Successive governments since 2003 have made the transition period a permanent one,” he said, adding that this was one of the biggest reasons the country stagnant.

“We have an opportunity to succeed in restoring the people's confidence in the state, the political system, and democratic mechanisms, by holding fair and fair elections that would achieve stability in the country,” Kadhimi.

Last month, resident Barham Salih said he wanted to ensure upcoming elections were held without fraud or manipulation.

There have been increasing demands for Iraqi political parties with armed wings to be barred from participating in general elections scheduled next summer.

During the last election, it was reported that Iran-backed militias secured many seats in parliament after allegedly using weapons to intimidate voters on the outskirts of Iraqi cities.


World Government Summit 2026 set to be largest ever

Updated 16 January 2026
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World Government Summit 2026 set to be largest ever

  • 35 world leaders confirmed, says WGS’ Mohammad Al-Gergawi
  • ‘Because the challenges of the future cannot be tackled alone’

DUBAI: This year’s World Government Summit will be the largest in the event’s history, said Mohammad Al-Gergawi, the WGS foundation’s chairman, on Friday.

Speaking at an event at the Museum of the Future, Al-Gergawi said 35 heads of state and government officials have confirmed their attendance, including Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin.

The WGS is an annual event held in Dubai which explores governance, and focuses on harnessing innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity.

Al-Gergawi said 24 side events would take place during the summit including forums on artificial intelligence, education, and sustainability.

Over 35 ministerial meetings are on the program including the Ministerial Roundtable with Arab Youth Ministers, Future of Tourism Roundtable, and Sustainable Development Goals Global Council Launch.

Al-Gergawi said four honors would be awarded during the summit, for best minister, most reformed government, sustainability, and best teacher.

He added that the world’s largest global gathering of Nobel laureates would take place during the summit.

“The World Laureate Summit aims to host a platform for laureates to present scientific solutions for problems governments are facing and will invite 50 laureates from various disciplines,” he explained.

Al-Gergawi said the WGS aims to play a key role in boosting collaboration between the private and public sectors.

“The success of the summit depends on the presence of governments, international organizations and the sector that shapes the future, the private sector,” he said.

“The success of the summit is directly linked to partnerships. Each partnership and initiative launched contributes to overcoming challenges in the future,” he added.

“The World Government Summit gathers everyone because the challenges of the future cannot be tackled alone,” Al-Gergawi said.

The summit takes place at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah from Feb. 3 to 5.