At a Glance

• Iraqi Prime Minister held strategic energy talks in New York.
• He met with HKN Energy and ExxonMobil chiefs to boost oil production.
• Al-Zaidi promised to remove bureaucratic obstacles for international companies.
• New oil exploration blocks will be announced at the Baghdad Energy Conference.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi held strategic meetings in New York with the HKN Energy chairman and the ExxonMobil CEO to accelerate Iraq's oil and gas production, promising to remove bureaucratic obstacles ahead of the upcoming Baghdad Energy Conference.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• The Prime Minister’s Media Office said that al-Zaidi “called on the company [HKN Energy] to redouble its efforts, accelerate the pace of work, and increase working hours on its projects and contractual commitments in Iraq, particularly those related to increasing oil production.”
• According to his office, the discussion with ExxonMobil focused on expanding partnerships in oil exploration and accelerating the development of active fields.

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During a high-level meeting in New York with HKN Energy Chairman Ross Perot on Tuesday, Prime Minister al-Zaidi reaffirmed the government's plans to host the Baghdad Energy Conference, where lucrative new exploration blocks will be formally unveiled to international investors.

Al-Zaidi emphasized that the administration will take proactive measures to support international partners, stating that the government will work to "overcome obstacles and address problems that could delay project implementation."

The delegation expressed full readiness for expanded operations, pledging to "double working hours and accelerate the pace of implementation" to guarantee swift project completion.

In a separate meeting, the Prime Minister and ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods explored strategic partnerships aimed at "increasing production and the optimal use of Iraq’s oil resources."

Al-Zaidi stressed the importance of international alliances, noting that integrating advanced corporate expertise is vital to "increase production capacity and enhance the efficiency of investment in its natural resources." 

FYI

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi arrived directly in New York City on Tuesday to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 

In his highly anticipated scheduled speech, al-Zaidi will lay out Iraq's positions on stabilizing regional crises and emphasize his government's strict domestic commitment to enhancing economic reform, combating corruption, and asserting national sovereignty. 

Furthermore, his text will highlight a major legal push to restrict all weapons exclusively to state institutions, reinforcing a synchronized deadline with Washington to disarm armed factions.

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