Najaf Governor Yousef Gnawi said that his administration hopes to benefit from Erbil’s successful development experience, particularly in electricity, water management, and public services.
Speaking during a press conference in Erbil, Gnawi described the visit as highly important for Najaf province. He said the delegation held several meetings with senior Kurdistan Region officials, including Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
Gnawi praised Erbil’s progress in improving infrastructure and delivering public services. He said the Kurdistan Region managed to address major challenges linked to water shortages and electricity supply over recent years.
“We want to benefit from Erbil’s successful experience, especially in electricity, water, and public services,” Gnawi said. He added that Najaf hopes to transfer some of these experiences to southern Iraq.
Many Iraqi provinces continue to face electricity shortages, weak infrastructure, and worsening drought conditions. Climate change, rapid urban growth, corruption, and reduced river flows have intensified these problems across the country.
In contrast, the Kurdistan Region has expanded investment in roads, housing, energy projects, and public infrastructure over the past decade. Erbil has increasingly promoted itself as a model for development and service delivery inside Iraq.
Gnawi also stressed the importance of strengthening relations between Erbil and Najaf. He described the ties between the two cities as historic and longstanding.
The governor said officials discussed greater coordination between both provinces, especially in tourism and transportation. He highlighted the importance of facilitating travel for religious visitors traveling from Erbil and other parts of Iraq to Najaf.
Najaf is home to the revered Imam Ali Shrine and receives millions of Shiite pilgrims each year from Iraq and abroad. Gnawi also called for expanding direct flights between Erbil and Najaf. He said stronger air links would improve tourism and people-to-people connections.
At the end of his remarks, he invited Kurdistan Region companies and investors to expand projects in Najaf, especially in airport development and infrastructure sectors.