The annual Middle East Research Institute (MERI) Forum takes place in Erbil and is attended by dozens of local as well as international leaders and experts addressing the various political, security, economic, and environmental challenges currently facing Iraq.
US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski spoke during the forum on Wednesday at a panel exploring the “multi-layered crises” Iraq confronts, and began her speech by stating that US presence in Iraq would continue.
She stated that the main priorities Washington has when it comes to Iraq include challenging climate change which has had a devastating impact on Iraq, as well as finding a way to “promote a vibrant private sector.”
Iraq is the fifth-most vulnerable nation in the world to the effects of climate change, including water and food insecurity. The effects of climate change are surfacing at an alarming rate in the country, with Iranian and Turkish damming of the country's rivers exacerbating the phenomenon.
Romanowski also called on the new Iraqi government to also prioritize efforts towards tackling the effects of climate change on the country.
“Their actions will also determine the breath and depth of Iraqi-US relations,” Romanowski said about newly-appointed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and President Abdul Latif Rashid.
“Despite the many uncertainties, challenges, and questions facing the new government and the Iraqi people, we think this is an opportunity for change and progress,” Romanowski added, expressing American support for the success of Iraq.
Iraq’s new government was sworn in on Thursday during a tense parliamentary session where Sudani successfully presented his cabinet a year since parliamentary elections were held, with the country shrouded in uncertainty.
With regards to the Kurdish political parties, Romanowski expressed hope to see them coming together to “leverage their positions” within the new political framework in Baghdad. She added that presenting a “united voice rather than a fragmented voice” in Iraq would be stronger.
“Kurdish unity is vital for advancing our interests and also Kurdish interests not just here but also in Iraq,” Ambassador Romanowski said.
In terms of US objectives in the Kurdistan Region, the US ambassador spoke of the importance of advancing human rights. She commended the Region for making “very important strides” in their advancement.
The annual US State Department report on human rights abuses released in April stated that the main issues recorded in the Kurdistan Region were restriction on free expression and the media, as well as the use of violence and violent threats targeting journalists.
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