The Minister of Planning discusses with the Australian Ambassador cooperation in the field of implementing the five-year development plan and conducting the population census

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning, Muhammad Ali Tamim, met today, Wednesday, with the Australian Ambassador to Iraq, Glen Myler, and his accompanying delegation. The ministry said in a statement, "During the meeting, the minister appreciated the support provided by Australia to Iraq's efforts in various areas of development, noting that the Iraqi government has set a package of priorities that it seeks to achieve within its government program." The Minister pointed out 'the completion of the five-year development plan for the years 2024-2028, and the priorities it included for achieving sustainable development goals, keeping pace with challenges, and making optimal use of natural resources, most notably rationalizing water use, combating desertification, and confronting climate change, by finding innovative solutions and treatments, as well as directing towards building integrated, environmentally friendly residential cities, and developing solutions and programs to address unemployment by encoura ging employment in the private sector.' He added, "The plan aims to expand in the field of renewable energy, and to benefit from solar energy, to provide electrical energy, and to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, indicating work to establish 4 solar energy plants in the governorates of Muthanna, Karbala, Anbar, and Kirkuk." He stated, "The Ministry's preparations to conduct the general census of population and housing on the twentieth of next November, and its strategic importance, in highlighting development gaps and drawing a picture of the Iraqi reality in all development sectors, calling on Australian companies to take advantage of the investment opportunities available in Iraq in various sectors." For his part, Myler praised 'the level of cooperation between the two countries, expressing his country's readiness to strengthen and develop this cooperation, in a way that serves the interests of the two friendly peoples. Source: National Iraqi News Agency