FM Emphasises Importance of Strengthening Arab-African Partnership and Developing Joint Cooperation Mechanisms

H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Fuad Hussein, delivered on Friday, 25 September 2026, a speech at the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the Arab-African Partnership Coordination Committee, held in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. He represented the Republic of Iraq at the meeting in its capacity as the current Chair of the Arab Summit.

The Minister emphasised the importance of following up on the implementation of the outcomes of the Fourth Arab-African Summit, held in Malabo in 2016, and benefiting from the joint report submitted by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in a manner that contributes to developing the partnership and strengthening mechanisms for joint action between the two sides.

Mr Fuad Hussein stressed the importance of strengthening Arab-African political coordination on issues of common interest, supporting political solutions, and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, reaffirming Iraq’s steadfast position in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the need to respect international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy.

On the economic and development front, the Minister highlighted the importance of expanding areas of cooperation in trade, agricultural development and food security, and continuing efforts to organise the Arab-African Trade Fair, calling for encouraging the participation of the private sector and financial institutions in a manner that contributes to enhancing trade and investment, and developing sustainable mechanisms to finance partnership programmes and completing the preparation of the Statute of the Arab-African Disaster Response Fund.

The Minister also addressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of migration and exchanging expertise and information, in addition to supporting joint cultural initiatives in a manner that contributes to strengthening ties among the peoples of the Arab countries and the African continent.

Mr Fuad Hussein reaffirmed the Republic of Iraq’s commitment to continuing to work with the Arab and African countries, the League of Arab States and the African Union to strengthen the partnership and follow up on the implementation of agreed outcomes, in a manner that serves common interests and enhances cooperation between the two sides.