Bilateral Meeting with H.E. Abdul Latif Rashid President of the Republic of Iraq

Baghdad - As part of his official visit to the Republic of Iraq, The FAO Director General, Dr QU Dongyu, met today in Baghdad with H.E. Abdul Latif Rashid, President of the Republic.

The President welcomed the Director-General to Iraq and outlined the country’s ongoing plans to achieve sustainable development, including through the transformation of its agrifood system, improving water management and enhancing livelihoods.

The Director-General appreciated the strong leadership of the President for the agrifood system transformation, especially in the face of multiple challenges including the impacts of the climate crisis, and shortage of water resources. He further commended Iraq’s important role in supporting the objectives of FAO, noting that Iraq was one of the founding Members of the Organization.

The Director-General further reiterated FAO’s commitment to support the country’s first-ever Green Climate Fund (GCF) funded climate change project, approved in 2023 and currently being implemented by FAO, noting that it reflected the strong partnership between the two sides and that it would support Iraq in advancing climate-resilience and sustainability through improved water management, access to renewable energy, and climate-adaptive technologies at farm level.

The President and the Director General discussed possible further initiatives to strengthen support for Iraq’s agrifood system, including through agriculture investment, water management, and technology and innovation, which could be catalysts for economic development and job opportunities.