The Grand Faw Port and Its Importance in Promoting the Sustainable Development Goals in Iraq

The establishment of the Grand Faw Port, its connection to the Dry Canal, and the associated projects within the Faw Economic Zone hold significant economic importance, with their impacts reflecting positively on advancing the wheel of sustainable development, thereby contributing to the achievement of its goals in Iraq in both the medium and long term. The development of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and railways through the Grand Faw Port and its linkage to global trade routes—particularly the Belt and Road Initiative—positions Iraq as a key economic corridor in the region. This leverages Iraq’s strategic location at the crossroads of the three continents, making it a vital link between East Asia and both Europe and Africa .In order to overcome the numerous challenges hindering the various activities of the existing Iraqi ports—which have become outdated and no longer keep pace with modern developments—the construction of the Grand Faw Port is expected to transform Iraq into the largest global logistics hub in the Middle East for international trade transit. This transformation would contribute to the diversification of income sources through generated revenues, provide job opportunities to reduce unemployment, and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Iraq.