In a significant step towards enhancing regional collaboration, Egypt and Iraq have signed 12 comprehensive cooperation agreements during an extended session of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee. This development marks a new phase in the two nations’ partnership, with agreements spanning multiple sectors aimed at fostering sustainable economic, cultural, and infrastructural growth.
The agreements, which cover a wide range of areas, demonstrate both countries’ commitment to long-term bilateral cooperation. The first agreement lays the foundation for local development cooperation, emphasizing governance and urban planning to drive more efficient and sustainable cities.
A major highlight is the second MoU, signed between Iraq’s Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control and Egypt’s General Authority for Standards and Quality. This partnership focuses on harmonizing technical standards and regulations, facilitating smoother trade relations and enhancing industrial practices in both nations.
Additionally, an agreement to improve grain storage and silo management was reached between Egypt’s Holding Company for Silos and Storage and Iraq’s State Company for Grain Trade. This initiative seeks to improve food security through knowledge sharing on the construction and maintenance of grain silos, a key area of agricultural development.
In the realm of transportation, a fourth agreement aims to streamline the movement of passengers and goods across the two countries. Cooperation between the Ministries of Transport will ensure more efficient and safer cross-border transportation.
A fifth MoU will foster cultural exchange, with Egypt’s Ministry of Culture and Iraq’s Ministry of Culture collaborating to preserve documents and cultural heritage, facilitating the sharing of art, literature, and historical artifacts.
Further collaboration in archaeology and museum development was secured through a sixth agreement, aiming to enhance heritage conservation efforts, with both nations sharing expertise in preserving their rich cultural legacies.
For the long term, the seventh agreement establishes an executive program for cultural cooperation, strengthening ties between the Egyptian and Iraqi Ministries of Culture from 2025 to 2027, promoting joint cultural events and educational exchanges.
On the urban development front, the eighth MoU promotes closer ties between the municipalities of Cairo and Baghdad, aiming to improve municipal services and infrastructure in both cities.
Economic cooperation was bolstered through a ninth agreement, as Iraq’s Securities Commission and Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority joined forces to enhance the regulation and oversight of financial markets, promoting investor confidence in both nations.
The tenth MoU focuses on advancing telecommunications and information technology. Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission and Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority will collaborate to support the digital transformation of both economies, enhancing infrastructure for a more connected future.
Trade relations were further strengthened with the signing of the eleventh agreement between the Egyptian Federation of Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, aimed at promoting investment and business opportunities.
Finally, the twelfth agreement targets market fairness, with Egypt’s Competition Protection Authority and Iraq’s Competition and Anti-Monopoly Council committing to policies that safeguard against monopolies, ensuring a level playing field for businesses.
The agreements were officially concluded by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, who signed the minutes of the third session of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to deepening their partnership for mutual growth and development.