The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Celebrates the 53rd Anniversary of the Establishment of the Foreign Service Institute

Under the patronage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein, the Foreign Service Institute held a ceremony marking the 53rd anniversary of its establishment, attended by the Ministry’s Deputies, Ambassadors, Heads of departments, officials, and Ministry staff.

In his opening address, H.E. the Minister emphasized the importance of developing the Foreign Service Institute and enhancing its outputs in line with the requirements of diplomatic work, stressing that the quality of the Institute’s graduates has a direct impact on Iraq’s standing and international presence.

The Minister underscored the need to strike a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical training, particularly in the fields of drafting memoranda, reports, and statements, as well as political analysis, protocol, and media. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening foreign-language education and promoting academic research and strategic studies.

He further stressed the importance of fostering the values and ethics of the Foreign Service, foremost among them discipline, commitment to the national interest, respect for the law, and a strong sense of responsibility. He affirmed that representing Iraq is a national responsibility before it is a diplomatic profession, while commending the efforts of the Institute’s successive administrations, faculty members, staff, and graduates in building its academic and professional legacy.

For his part, Dean of the Foreign Service Institute, Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Al-Shammari, affirmed in his address that the occasion represents an opportunity to reflect on the Institute’s longstanding journey and its contributions to building diplomatic capacities and developing the skills and knowledge required for diplomatic service.

He noted that the Institute continues to work on developing its training curricula in line with the evolving requirements of diplomatic work, while strengthening the practical component of training, alongside placing emphasis on foreign languages, academic research, and strategic studies.

The ceremony featured a reflection on the Institute’s academic and professional journey and its role in providing the Ministry with qualified personnel capable of carrying out their duties and representing Iraq at regional and international forums. The ceremony also included the honoring of the top-performing employees in the promotion course conducted by the Institute for diplomatic personnel.

The occasion reaffirms the importance of the Foreign Service Institute as one of the key pillars in building and developing diplomatic capabilities, and as an important source of qualified personnel and expertise for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contributing to strengthening Iraq’s presence and standing on the international stage.