Sudani says Arab tourism meeting in Baghdad signals Iraq’s return to global travel map

BAGHDAD – Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Tuesday that hosting the 28th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism in Baghdad is a step toward restoring Iraq’s place on the global tourism map and turning a symbolic title into concrete projects.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, al-Sudani said, “We affirm that hosting this event represents an important step toward reaffirming Iraq’s position on the global tourism map and showcasing its cultural, civilizational, and religious assets.”

The Arab Tourism Organization has designated Baghdad as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025. Al-Sudani said the recognition should mark the start of a new phase of tourism investment focused on infrastructure, services and sustainable tourism rather than remaining a ceremonial label.

He stressed the need to involve young people in planning and implementing tourism initiatives and called for renewed coordination among Arab states through the revival of the “Joint Arab Tourism Initiative” to boost regional visitor flows.

“Tourism is an important instrument of soft power,” he said, urging Arab governments to use tourism cooperation to strengthen economic ties and people-to-people links.

Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani attended today, Tuesday, the opening ceremony of the 28th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, hosted in Baghdad.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister stated that hosting this event represents an important step toward reaffirming Iraq’s position on the global tourism map and showcasing its cultural, civilizational, and religious assets. He expressed confidence that the session will produce constructive recommendations that advance Arab tourism and meet the aspirations of our peoples and nations.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani expressed appreciation for all efforts that contributed to organizing this gathering, and commended the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism and the Arab Tourism Organization for selecting Baghdad as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025, noting that this designation marked the start of new tourism projects aimed at developing infrastructure and supporting sustainable tourism.

Key highlights of the Prime Minister’s address:

🔹 Baghdad welcomes Arab engagement and cooperation in ways that promote development and strengthen the capacity of our countries and societies to confront shared challenges.

🔹 Young people have a vital and promising role in planning, implementation, and overcoming obstacles, and their contribution to the tourism sector is essential to its advancement.

🔹 We emphasize the need to create more job opportunities, address economic challenges, and activate key sectors across our Arab nations.

🔹 Unemployment ranks among the most pressing challenges in our societies, and tourism is among the sectors that generate the highest levels of direct and indirect employment.

🔹 Our government places strong emphasis on tourism as part of its approach to diversifying the economy and achieving sustainable development.

🔹 Iraq possesses unique tourism assets and is rich in religious, archaeological, historical, and environmental sites. We continue to develop and implement the National Tourism Strategy.

🔹 We have drawn up plans to invest in infrastructure, ensure security and stability, and carry out marketing and promotional campaigns for tourist destinations domestically and internationally.

🔹 We support the development of human capacities, encourage partnership with the private sector, preserve heritage and the environment, and pursue the restructuring of the tourism sector.

🔹 Tourism is an important instrument of soft power.

🔹 The success of tourism requires joint coordination and collective action among our countries.

🔹 We call for reviving the “Joint Arab Tourism Initiative,” which reflects the spirit of cooperation and strengthens tourism exchange among Arab states.

🔹 We stress the importance of utilizing modern technologies and advancing digital and smart tourism in line with contemporary developments.