Baghdad / NINA /- Iraqi newspapers on Sunday focused on Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s initiative to strengthen regional connectivity and economic integration, announced during the meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Baghdad. Coverage also highlighted a meeting of the Freedoms Committee of the Arab Journalists Federation in Damascus.

Al-Sabah reported that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi launched a comprehensive strategic connectivity initiative during the opening of the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad. The meeting brought together representatives of 55 countries and 40 international organizations under the theme, “Dialogue and Solidarity: Two Essential Pillars for Promoting Peace and Sustainable Development.”

The initiative calls for linking energy networks, railway systems, transport infrastructure and digital communications, while developing digital payment systems and commercial platforms and promoting integration among industrial zones. It also emphasizes free trade, the protection of trade routes and the smooth flow of transport through international corridors.

Al-Zaidi reaffirmed Iraq’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause, describing it as central to the conflict and calling for concerted efforts to counter hatred and stand in solidarity with oppressed peoples. He also met with Turkey’s foreign minister to discuss water-related issues and ways to advance the Development Road project.

Meanwhile, President Nizar Amedi held a series of diplomatic meetings with international officials and foreign ministers on the sidelines of the conference. Discussions covered strengthening cooperation within the OIC, addressing climate challenges—particularly drought and desertification—and expanding regional relations to support stability and border security.

In his meeting with OIC Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Amedi discussed ways to strengthen the organization’s effectiveness, noting that Baghdad’s hosting of the session offered an opportunity to develop shared approaches to critical issues. He also discussed environmental challenges and international cooperation with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.

Amedi’s regional engagements included meetings with the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Lebanon and Syria, focusing on bilateral relations, regional stability and border security. He also received an official invitation to visit Damascus.

For his part, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, after assuming the presidency of the session, stressed the importance of political stability and economic integration, reaffirming Iraq’s commitment to reviving the Common Gulf Security Initiative.

Conference spokesperson Ambassador Hassanein Kamel outlined the agenda, while participating delegations emphasized the need to address regional challenges and safeguard international navigation through vital maritime corridors. The session is scheduled to resume on Sunday, with participants expected to finalize the concluding resolutions.

Al-Zawraa, published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, focused on a meeting of the Arab Journalists Union’s Permanent Freedoms Committee in Damascus. The meeting brought together representatives of Arab journalists’ syndicates and unions to launch the annual report on press freedom across Arab countries.

Arab Journalists Union President Muayyad al-Lami stressed the importance of enforcing laws that protect press freedom and reviewing legislation that restricts journalistic work or conflicts with international professional standards. He also expressed hope that Syria would regain its leading role in the political, economic and cultural spheres, reaffirming the union’s support for Syrian journalists and plans for closer coordination with Syria’s Ministry of Information.

Al-Lami noted that the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate had submitted its press freedom report covering June 2025 to June 2026. The report highlighted improvements in journalist safety and protection, attributing them to political and security stability, as well as legislation safeguarding journalists’ rights and freedom of expression, particularly on digital platforms. He added that Iraq recorded no assaults on journalists during the reporting period, marking an improvement over previous years.

Muayyad al-Lami said the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate had supported media organizations, newspapers and journalists while strengthening cooperation with the Supreme Judicial Council and publication courts to safeguard journalists’ legal rights and follow up on lawsuits filed against them, contributing to the resolution of most cases in their favor.

He added that the syndicate coordinated with media offices across government ministries and institutions to facilitate journalists’ access to official information, promote accurate reporting and protect freedom of opinion and expression.

Al-Lami stressed the importance of implementing Journalists’ Rights Law No. 21 of 2011, describing it as a key safeguard for journalists and their families and an essential foundation for a secure media working environment in Iraq.

Arab Journalists Union President Muayyad al-Lami said the decline in assaults and harassment targeting journalists in Iraq reflected improved safety and protection conditions. He attributed this progress to the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate’s continued monitoring and support for media organizations, as well as its efforts to ensure access to information and promote transparency. He stressed that no assaults or targeted attacks against journalists were recorded during the reporting period, underscoring the need to protect press freedom and review legislation that conflicts with international professional standards.

Al-Lami explained that holding the Freedoms Committee meeting in Damascus was intended to show support for the Syrian people and journalists and promote democracy and press freedom. He expressed hope that new legislation concerning Syrian journalists would provide adequate safeguards, while praising Iraq’s active participation and its role in advancing freedom and democracy.

Hassan al-Oboudi, Secretary of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, said the meeting was held at the invitation of the Syrian Journalists Union to launch the annual report assessing press freedom across Arab countries. The event was held under the patronage of Syria’s Minister of Information and attended by members of the Permanent Freedoms Committee.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Salam, head of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate’s Foreign Relations Committee, confirmed that high-level coordination was underway between the Iraqi syndicate, the Arab Journalists Union and the Syrian side.

Syrian Journalists Union Executive Board member Baraa Othman said communication and coordination with the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate had continued, noting that previous meetings in Nouakchott and Amman had led to an agreement for Damascus to host the launch of this year’s press freedom report. He added that the meeting reviewed the state of the media in Syria and the wider Arab world, as well as developments in press freedom in Syria, praising Arab journalists’ unions for supporting their Syrian counterparts.

Meanwhile, Abdul Wahab al-Zugheilat, head of the Arab Journalists Union’s Freedoms Committee, described holding the meeting in Damascus as a political and media message signaling a new phase for freedoms in Syria. He noted that a proposed law would regulate journalistic work and guarantee access to information. According to proposals presented at the meeting, the legislation would also prohibit imprisoning journalists for errors committed in the course of their professional duties.

Al-Zugheilat said the launch of the union’s annual press freedom report in Damascus, with broad participation from Arab journalists’ associations, reflected support for Syria’s recovery and the union’s commitment to presenting a firsthand assessment of conditions in the country. He expressed hope that legislation governing press freedom and journalistic work would be further developed to strengthen stability, emphasizing the importance of Arab ties, particularly the strategic relationship between Iraq and Syria./End



ليصلك المزيد من الأخبار اشترك بقناتنا على التليغرام