Iraqi President Holds High-Level Meetings on the Sidelines of the UNGA

Iraq 12:50 PM - 2025-09-26

President Rashid and Secretary General Guterres.

As part of his participation in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Iraq, Dr Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, held a series of important meetings with international and regional leaders in New York.

During his meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the two sides discussed regional and international developments, the role of the United Nations in supporting global peace and security, and the outcomes of the General Assembly session. President Rashid expressed his gratitude to the Secretary-General for his continued support for Iraq and his wider efforts in addressing challenges in the Middle East. He praised the UN’s role in promoting democracy and supporting Iraq through numerous joint projects across a range of sectors.

President Rashid reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to backing the UN’s work in tackling global challenges, underlining the importance of collective efforts to address climate change, environmental degradation, and their damaging consequences through the development of comprehensive international programmes.

Secretary-General Guterres, for his part, commended Iraq’s role in fostering regional stability and promoting dialogue, reiterating the UN’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Iraq across multiple fields. The meeting was attended by senior Iraqi officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Qubad Talabani, Health Minister Dr Saleh al-Hasnawi, Minister of Migration and Displacement Ivan Faiq Jabro, and Iraq’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Luqman al-Faili.

Continued Coordination with Kuwait

Also on Thursday, President Rashid met with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah, at the United Nations Headquarters. The Crown Prince conveyed the greetings of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, to the Iraqi President. They reviewed bilateral relations, stressing the importance of continued dialogue and consultation on issues of mutual interest, with the aim of strengthening ties in service of both nations and their peoples.

President Rashid underlined the need for coordination on regional matters, reiterating Iraq’s rejection of the aggression against the Gaza Strip and reaffirming support for the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state. The meeting also touched upon wider regional and international developments, and the role of the United Nations in advancing peace, stability, and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Unifying Arab Positions

In a separate engagement, President Rashid received the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, at his residence in New York. The talks centred on the latest developments across the Arab world and beyond, particularly efforts to strengthen regional stability amidst ongoing political and security challenges.

President Rashid stressed the importance of intensifying coordination among Arab states and unifying positions to confront regional crises, with a particular focus on the aggression against the Palestinian people. He called for bolstering joint Arab action and revitalising the role of the Arab League in addressing key issues, promoting dialogue, and pursuing peaceful solutions that reflect the aspirations of the peoples of the region for security and economic stability.

For his part, Aboul Gheit expressed appreciation for President Rashid’s commitment to Arab unity, affirming the League’s determination to continue working towards overcoming the region’s crises. The discussions also covered the agenda of the UN General Assembly and the need to consolidate the foundations of global peace.


PUKMEDIA