Iraqi Cabinet Approves Eid Holidays, Anti-Plastic Measures and Electricity Agreements

Iraqi PM’s media office

Iraqi PM chairs regular cabinet session.

Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi chaired the second regular session of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, during which ministers reviewed the country’s overall situation, discussed items on the agenda, and adopted the necessary decisions.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office, the Prime Minister directed authorities to mobilise efforts to maintain power stations, secure fuel supplies, and work towards increasing electricity provision for citizens.

Ministers were also instructed to prioritise direct engagement with citizens, listen to their concerns, and follow up on complaints, while reviewing procedures related to public services in state institutions in order to reduce bureaucracy.

Al-Zaidi further stressed the importance of involving citizens in evaluating municipal, health, and educational services in their areas, as well as monitoring markets and controlling prices through independent oversight to ensure the stability of food and essential commodity prices for Iraqi citizens.

As part of preparations for the government programme in line with the ministerial agenda approved by parliament, the Council of Ministers agreed to establish a committee headed by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, alongside representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Advisory Commission, and each ministry, to finalise the government programme and submit it to the cabinet for approval.

The council also approved the implementation of the detailed ministerial agenda by ministers and non-ministerial bodies in accordance with the specified timetable, describing it as a binding roadmap and commitment before the Iraqi people and parliament.

Regarding the Eid al-Adha holiday, the cabinet approved the suspension of official working hours across all ministries and state institutions from Tuesday, 26 May, until Saturday, 30 May, with official work resuming on Sunday, 31 May. It also approved a public holiday on Thursday, 4 June, to mark Eid al-Ghadir.

During the session, the Council of Ministers hosted the head of the Federal Integrity Commission and Head of the Iraq Funds Recovery Fund, where the Prime Minister instructed the commission to submit periodic reports on efforts to recover state assets. He emphasised that the recovery of funds and convicted individuals should remain among the commission’s top priorities, alongside utilising international relations to pressure host countries into cooperating with national authorities and the judiciary.

Al-Zaidi also urged the commission to continue implementing e-governance and comprehensive digital transformation across state institutions, describing it as essential for fulfilling the requirements of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

As part of government efforts to protect the environment and public health, the cabinet approved several measures, including reducing the use of plastic bags. Within six months of the decision, free distribution of plastic shopping bags will be banned, as will their use in bakeries and their importation, with biodegradable environmentally friendly alternatives to be adopted instead. Additional business levies will also be imposed on factories producing nylon bags.

The cabinet further approved environmental service fees covering environmental monitoring and assessment of plastic bag producers, with part of the revenues allocated to supporting environmental projects and awareness programmes.

A specialised committee will also be formed to develop mechanisms for supporting recycling and waste-sorting projects, promoting paper bags, and investing in paper industries, while the Ministry of Environment will launch awareness campaigns on the dangers of plastic bag use.

The Council of Ministers approved recommendations from the Ministerial Council for the Economy concerning the pricing of diesel engine oil products for a period of three months, pending a technical and commercial study by the Ministry of Oil.

The cabinet also approved the allocation of one million tonnes of sulphur by the Ministries of Oil and Industry and Minerals at international market prices, in accordance with relevant regulations, to settle debts owed to the companies Kept and Maysan.

In addition, the council adopted recommendations from the negotiating team concerning the financial and administrative aspects of two contracts with the Vietnam following discussions on a settlement during the cabinet meeting.

The Council of Ministers also approved recommendations issued by the Industrial Coordination Council, including a joint working group proposal identifying brick factories in the Nahrawan area that will transition to liquefied gas use for a period of one year from the date of the decision, while committing to relocate the factories to another site.

In the education sector, the cabinet exempted a scholarship programme for graduates of schools for gifted students in Iraq, implemented by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, from provisions contained in Cabinet Decision No. 11 of 2026, describing it as a specialised initiative aimed at establishing a strong scientific foundation.

In the electricity sector, the cabinet approved contracts with private power generation companies for the first four months of the 2026 summer peak demand period, under the same terms and pricing formula as previous agreements. The Ministry of Finance will provide the necessary allocations for purchasing electricity, with cabinet approval required every four months for the remainder of the contract period.

In the same context, the council authorised the Ministry of Electricity to sign a contract addendum with private power producers to reduce the cost per unit of energy below the contractual price, depending on earlier operational dates. The agreement also takes into account the company’s waiver of costs related to unused available energy and expenditures resulting from the halt of the power-generating barge at Umm Qasr without operation. The General Company for Ports was instructed to berth the barge at Khor Al-Zubair port to facilitate fuel supply and improve load distribution.


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