Kuwait to host conference on reconstruction of Iraqi cities destroyed by IS war
A conference in Kuwait in February will address the reconstruction of different areas in Iraq which have been destroyed due to the war against the Islamic State (IS).
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – A conference in Kuwait in February will address the reconstruction of different areas in Iraq which have been destroyed due to the war against the Islamic State (IS), the state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) said on Tuesday.
The meeting is expected to be held from Feb. 12 to Feb. 14 where donor countries and organizations will announce financial contributions, KUNA reported.
Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khaled al-Jarallah made the announcement during a joint news conference in Kuwait City with Secretary General of the Iraqi cabinet Mahdi al-Allaq.
Following Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s “final victory” declaration in December to mark the end of IS in the country, efforts are now focused on rebuilding areas devastated by the war.
“Iraq requires at least USD 100 billion in assistance to rebuild homes, businesses, and infrastructure including oil and telecommunications facilities,” KUNA quoted Allaq.
Following the vicious battle against IS, Iraqi officials say that rebuilding the areas destroyed due to war requires support from the international community.
The country’s officials estimate that the reconstruction of Mosul, liberated in July 2017, could take at least five years and require billions of dollars.
In December, Iraq’s Planning Minister Salman Jumaili signed two agreements with the European Union (EU) to begin reconstruction of areas liberated from the extremist group.
“Iraq and the EU have signed two grant agreements to fund two projects aimed at restoring stability in the country and allowing the return of the displaced Iraqi population in areas liberated from IS,” Jumaili said at a press conference following a meeting with EU officials.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubair also said in December that his country was “serious” about the reconstruction of newly liberated cities in Iraq.