Iraqi Cabinet approves 2026-2029 government program, sends it to parliament

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi, approved the government program covering the 2026-2029 period during its 14th ordinary session held on Monday evening, the Prime Minister's Media Office said. The program was the sole item on the agenda and has been referred to the Iraqi Parliament in line with the relevant article of the Council of Ministers' internal regulations. According to the statement, the program identifies 139 priorities across 14 main sectors. These include strengthening state sovereignty and national security, economic and financial reform, industry, governance and institutional reform, anti-corruption, health services, information and communication, youth and sports, foreign policy, energy, agriculture, water and the environment, education, social protection networks, human rights and women's and children's rights, as well as culture, tourism and archaeology. The document also lists 13 priority legislative items. It sets out plans to adopt a comprehensive national program for institutional reform and the fight against financial corruption, restructure the banking sector and place border crossings under unified administration. The program further envisions launching a broad digital transformation strategy and establishing a Higher Investment Council and a Higher Council for Financial and Monetary Stability.