Embassy of the Republic of Iraq to the United Kingdom Hosts a Number of Members of the UK-MENA Network

The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq to the United Kingdom hosted a number of members of the UK-MENA Network at the Iraqi Cultural Centre in London on 27/02/2025.

A number of the embassy’s diplomats, under the direction of the Iraqi Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mr. Mohammad Jaafar Al-Sadr, met with the visiting delegation, reviewing the history of Iraqi diplomacy since its establishment in 1924 during the monarchy era, through the republican era, and up to the democratic era. They discussed the policy of openness adopted by the new Iraq after 2003, both regionally and internationally, through a documentary film commemorating the centenary of the establishment of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the history of Iraq and its numerous civilisations were reviewed, along with its foreign policy and relations with the United Kingdom. The role of the embassy in enhancing diplomatic relations between the two countries on various levels was also highlighted. The outcomes of the visit of the Prime Minister, Mr. Mohammad Shia’ Al-Sudani, and his accompanying delegation to the United Kingdom in January 2025 were discussed, including the agreements and memoranda of understanding concluded between the Iraqi and British sides in the political, economic, cultural, and educational fields.

Embassy representatives also responded to questions regarding Iraq’s central role in the midst of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the economic progress being made by the government through the Development Road project and its efforts to transition to a diversified economy.

The UK-MENA Network is an organisation established in January 2024 by heads of foreign policy associations, founders, and diplomatic societies in leading universities in the United Kingdom, such as Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, St Andrews, Edinburgh, as well as London-based universities including King’s College London, Royal Holloway, LSE, and SOAS. Its primary mission is to connect young professionals and university students in the United Kingdom with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), under the leadership of a specialised committee of scholars and young professionals concerned with the region’s affairs.