DUBAI, UAE - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has called on oil companies in Iraq to assist in expediting an end to gas flaring in the country’s oil fields and ordered a reevaluation of Iraq’s oil licensing rounds, according to a statement released Sunday by his media office.

The statement said that Sudani emphasized the government’s commitment to ending the wasteful and environmentally harmful practice of flaring associated gas, urging that it instead be utilized to power energy production and support vital industries such as petrochemicals, fertilizers, and steel.

Sudani in early January unveiled a plan to eliminate the practice of gas flaring in Iraq by 2028, stating that the move will allow the country to "harness our resources efficiently and sustainably.”

The remarks came during a meeting chaired by Sudani with representatives of major foreign oil companies operating in Iraq. Also attending were the oil minister and officials from the Ministry of Oil, the Federal Board of Supreme Audit, the General Commission for Taxes, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

According to the statement, the prime minister directed a review of the licensing rounds system, launched 15 years ago, citing evolving conditions in the global oil and gas sector. He also instructed officials to work on removing obstacles that hinder investment and project implementation.

“The government views its relationship with oil companies as a long-term strategic partnership,” the statement said, noting that improving the business environment, enhancing security at oil sites, and developing infrastructure are key government priorities.

The meeting also addressed strategies for water injection, growth in oil sector investment, and regulatory issues related to labor permits and social security, the statement added.