Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani highlighted the prioritization of democracy in his country during the Summit for Democracy 2023, a virtual conference hosted by the United States government and co-hosted by Costa Rica, Netherlands, South Korea, and Zambia.

In his speech, Sudani stated that his cabinet's main priority is to consolidate democracy in both political and social life. He also emphasized his government's efforts to promote the values of democracy and combat corruption since taking office in October.

The prime minister acknowledged the sacrifices the Iraqi people have made in the pursuit of freedom and called restoring the public's trust in the government "a national mission and a core commitment."

Sudani also spoke about the upcoming provincial council elections, set to take place later this year. The councils were dissolved in 2019 in response to protests against corruption and are set to be reactivated for the first time since 2013. The parliament has yet to vote on all the articles of the provincial council elections law, but lawmakers agreed earlier this month to conduct the polls on November 6.

The Summit for Democracy 2023 featured speeches from more than 100 leaders and focused on topics such as combating corruption, strengthening democracy, and defending against authoritarianism. Sudani joined leaders from around the world in addressing these issues and highlighting the importance of democracy in today's society.

The conference aimed to strengthen democratic institutions, promote human rights, and create a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.