Najaf Governor Yousef Gnawi said that his province wants to benefit from Erbil’s development experience. He highlighted electricity, water management, and public services as key priorities.
Speaking in Erbil, Gnawi described the visit to the Kurdistan Region as highly important. The delegation held meetings with senior Kurdish officials, including Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
The delegation also met Erbil’s governor and municipal officials. Gnawi praised Erbil’s progress in infrastructure and public service delivery during recent years.
He said the city successfully addressed water shortages and drought challenges. He also praised Erbil’s stable electricity supply and modern infrastructure projects.
“We want to benefit from Erbil’s successful experience,” Gnawi said. “We hope to transfer these experiences to Najaf province.”
Many Iraqi provinces still face weak infrastructure and electricity shortages. In addition, climate change and reduced river flows continue to worsen water scarcity across the country.
Rapid population growth and corruption have also increased pressure on public services. Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Region has expanded investment in roads, housing, and energy projects over the past decade.
As a result, Erbil has increasingly promoted itself as a model for urban development in Iraq. Officials in Najaf now hope to apply similar solutions in southern Iraq.
Gnawi also emphasized the strong historical ties between Erbil and Najaf. He said both sides discussed future coordination and agreements between the two provinces.
Additionally, the governor stressed the importance of facilitating travel for religious tourists visiting Najaf. The city is home to the revered Imam Ali Shrine and welcomes millions of Shiite pilgrims every year.
Gnawi also called for expanding direct flights between Erbil and Najaf. He said stronger air connections would improve tourism and strengthen relations between residents of both cities.
At the end of his remarks, Gnawi invited Kurdistan Region companies and investors to expand projects in Najaf, especially in infrastructure and airport development.
