Iraq to seek international community support at Davos for post-war rebuilding

President Abdul Latif Rashid leads delegation at the annual World Economic Forum meeting

A handout picture released by the Iraqi parliament on October 12, 2022, shows presidential candidate Abdul Latif Rashid attending a parliamentary session during which a new president is due to be elected, in the capital Baghdad on October 13, 2022. - Despite a rocket attack on Baghdad's Green Zone, lawmakers elected Rashid as Iraq's new state president on October 13, in hopes of ending a year of political gridlock and violence in the war-scarred nation. The 78-year-old replaces fellow Iraqi Kurd Barham Saleh as head of state after the two-round vote in parliament, winning more than 160 votes against 99 for Saleh according to assembly officials. Photos: IRAQI PARLIAMENT / AFPShow less

Iraq will seek support from the international community at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos to help to put the nation back on its feet.

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, who is leading his country’s delegation to the Swiss winter resort, says he will encourage world leaders to invest in Iraq and support its post-war reconstruction efforts.

Mr Rashid will meet with “leaders from governments, businesses, and economic institutions to discuss a range of issues”, said a statement.

He will also “convey the true image of prevailing security and economic stability in Iraq to attract foreign investment that would help Iraq to develop its infrastructure and render better public services, meeting Iraqi citizens' needs,” it said.

The president will take part in several panels and dialogue sessions to discuss food security and sustainable development.

He will also discuss the regional and international partnerships to support energy, agriculture and water sectors, in addition to addressing climate change, combating corruption, developing infrastructure and protecting vulnerable communities.

The World Economic Forum in pictures

World Economic Forum delegates arrive at the Davos Congress Centre in Switzerland, on Monday. Reuters

Solar panels on the rooftop of the centre. Bloomberg

Swiss police on duty in the Swiss resort town. Reuters

A traffic jam on a road leading to the venue of the forum. Reuters

The Davos Congress Centre is the venue of the WEF's Annual Meeting. Reuters

Visitors queue outside Ukraine's pavilion in Davos. Reuters

Police officers on patrol. Bloomberg

A police officer stands guards and keeps a watchful eye from the roof of a nearby hotel. AP

Equipment at the Arctic Basecamp pavilion is checked before the start of the forum. Bloomberg

All eyes will be on Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, who will deliver the first major address to this year's forum on Tuesday. Photo: WEF

The Russia-Ukraine war is one that is on the mind of officials and executives attending the WEF's Annual Meeting in Davos. Photo: WEF

Another shadow cast over Davos this week is that of the global economy, with the World Bank cutting its growth outlook for 2023. Photo: WEF

Officials and economists are expected to assess the severity of an expected global recession and find ways to mitigate its impact. Photo: WEF

Issues such as soaring food and energy prices worldwide and the outlook for Europe's economy will be front and centre. Photo: WEF

Another key feature is the presence in full of major technology companies. Photo: WEF

Tech executives are expected to highlight their companies' potential amid questions about the financial woes they faced last year. Photo: WEF

A visitor tries out a virtual reality headset at a pavilion before the start of the forum's Annual Meeting. Bloomberg

Security guards stand at an entrance to an inflatable tunnel at the venue in Davos. Bloomberg

People walk in front of the Davos Congress Centre on Sunday. AP

A display of artificial coral inside the Davos Congress Centre. AP

A banner above the steps to the Davos Congress Centre. AP

Police officers patrol the Davos Congress Centre in Davos. EPA

A sign goes up in the main hall of the Davos Congress Centre on Sunday. EPA

This will be the first full in-person meeting of the WEF since Covid-19 crippled much of global conferencing activity. EPA

Preparations in the main hall on Sunday. EPA

This year’s Davos theme is 'Co-operation in a fragmented world'. Photo: WEF

There will probably be concerns on the outlook for cryptocurrencies after the collapse of FTX. Photo: WEF

Delegates are also expected to discuss concerns about a new wave of Covid-19 variants. Photo: WEF

This is the 52nd Annual Meeting hosted by the forum. Photo: WEF

Staff put the final touches to one of the conference halls in Davos. Photo: WEF

He will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein.

Iraq endured decades of war, UN-imposed economic sanctions in the 1990s and political and security instability following the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

It is still in need of rebuilding after the 2014-2017 war with ISIS left large areas of the north and west in ruins. Millions of Iraqis need access to clean water, adequate electricity supply and proper health care.

In early 2018, Iraq appealed for about $88 billion for reconstruction at an international donors summit in Kuwait. Countries pledged about $30bn in loans and investment but there has not been significant progress since then.

The WEF annual meeting brings together leaders from government, business and civil society and other sectors to address the state of the world and urgent global issues.