PM Sudani meets world leaders, officials in New York

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 22, 2024. Photo: Sudani's office
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani kicked off his bilateral meetings with world leaders and officials on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sunday, in a bid to strengthen Baghdad’s position internationally. 

Sudani arrived in New York on Saturday to take part in the 79th UNGA session and hold meetings with a number of world leaders and presidents, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. 

In a meeting with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, Sudani emphasized “the depth of the fraternal relations between Iraq and Kuwait, which the government has included in its approach the strengthening of relations with sister Arab countries, and strengthening the bonds of cooperation with them in various fields,” said a statement from Sudani’s office. 

He later met with Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen’s presidential council, stressing the “deep historical and brotherly ties between Iraq and Yemen” and reaffirming Baghdad’s commitment to supporting the conflict-ridden country. 

Sudani and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk touched on the “significant advancements” in the human rights situation in Iraq, and the Iraqi premier reaffirmed Baghdad’s commitment to international human rights standards. 

During the meeting, Sudani “highlighted the broad measures taken by the Iraqi government to safeguard the rights of minorities and all components of Iraqi society, as well as providing assistance to victims of terrorism and the dictatorial regime,” according to a statement from Sudani’s office following the meeting. 

Sudani later met with Kenyan President William Ruto, who expressed Nairobi’s interest in “building strong economic and trade relations between the two countries.” 

On Sunday, Sudani emphasized Baghdad’s steps towards achieving sustainable development and his government’s long-term plans for strategic reforms in a speech at the Summit of the Future during UNGA. 

During the summit that continues through Monday, world leaders are set to adopt a pact covering peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, and human rights. 

The theme for this year’s week-long UNGA is “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations,” according to the UN. 

This year’s UNGA comes as conflicts rage in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and other countries, and amid intensifying hostilities and clashes between Israel and Lebanon - sparking fears of an all-out war.