Iraq and France have inked agreements as part of a strategic roadmap to expand cooperation in renewable energy among other sectors, according to a statement released on Friday. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Paris on Thursday to discuss expanding cooperation in energy and public transportation, among other sectors, the statement said.

Strengthening ties: France organized the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership — the second of its kind — in Jordan last month to provide international support to the country in terms of security, economic integration, and stability, the Saudi Gazette quoted Jordan’s King Abdullah II as saying.

Iraq needs USD bns to boost green growth: Baghdad faces desertification, food insecurity, and systemic central power network failures, as well as geopolitical obstacles hindering its development. Iraq needs some USD 233 bn additional investment by 2040 to pursue its green growth path, according to a World Bank report (pdf). The country must diversify its oil-reliant economy in the face of climate change-driven challenges, the report said.

Some moves have been made: Several Chinese companies submitted proposals to develop wind and solar facilities in the country last month. Iraq’s Environment Ministry and National Investment Commission are also preparing a new solid waste-to-energy law to attract investments.

And other unspecified ventures: The Iraqi government approved a plan earlier this month to establish a USD 3 bn unspecified energy facility that would more than quadruple the southern governorate of Dhi Qar’s generation capacity to 3.85 GW from 850 MW.

France is also interested in cooperation on renewables: The Elysée wants to enhance cooperation with the kingdom in the field of renewable energy and hydrogen, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Al Arabiya yesterday. The minister also signaled interest in attracting more investments from Saudi companies in France.

IN OTHER NEWS- Qatar might be eyeing a stake in Iraqi energy projects: QatarEnergy could acquire a 30% stake in a USD 27 bn cluster of energy projects in Iraq owned by France’s TotalEnergies, Reuters reports, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter. The agreement reportedly includes the development of a 1 GW photovoltaic power plant, according to RFI.