The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq to the United Kingdom organises a visit for representatives from several Iraqi research and study centres to their counterparts in the United Kingdom

In an effort by the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq to the United Kingdom to bridge the relations between Iraqi research and study centres and their counterparts in the UK, and under the initiative of the Ambassador in London, Mr. Mohammad Jaafar Al-Sadr, the embassy organised an intensive visit for a delegation from Iraqi research and study centres to London from 11-15/02/2025.

This initiative aims to familiarise participants with research experiences, facilitate direct communication with leading think tanks in the UK, enhance cooperation, exchange expertise, and create opportunities for Iraqi centres to present their papers to policymakers and international influential individuals. This is due to the increasing role these centres play in shaping domestic and foreign policies, as well as in public opinion formation.

The programme, carefully prepared by the embassy’s team, included significant cultural diversity, with visits to the Middle East Department at the British Museum, the Middle East Centre at the London School of Economics (LSE), and a meeting with the Director of Iraq Affairs at the college and the PeaceRep programme. This was followed by a visit to the British Library, where the delegation met with the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the library.

The programme also included a visit to the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), with two consecutive sessions providing a comprehensive introduction to the institute’s structure and a discussion on strategic communication and political interaction.

The Iraqi Cultural Centre in London hosted a roundtable titled “Two Decades of Change in Iraq – An Inside and Outside Perspective,” attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the UK, Mr. Mohammad Jaafar Al-Sadr, alongside a group of young Iraqis residing in the UK.

Additionally, the programme featured a visit to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), followed by a visit to the UK Parliament, where a dialogue session was held with an advisor to the Speaker of the House of Commons, discussing the nature of the work of the UK Parliament.