The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to continue supporting Iraq and expanding cooperation programs that serve sustainable development goals and strengthen food security.

This statement came during a meeting between Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, and Qu Dongyu at FAO headquarters in Rome, according to a statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement noted that the meeting discussed prospects for joint cooperation between the Republic of Iraq and FAO, particularly in the areas of food security, sustainable agricultural development, water resource management, and climate change adaptation.

Fuad Hussein expressed Iraq’s keenness to deepen its strategic partnership with FAO, appreciating the organization's role in supporting Iraq’s efforts to achieve sustainable agricultural development, especially in areas affected by climate change and environmental challenges.

For his part, the FAO Director-General emphasized Iraq’s special importance to the organization, as one of its founding members in 1945. He noted that FAO views Iraq as a key partner in the region and reiterated the organization’s commitment to continue supporting Iraq and expanding cooperation programs that align with sustainable development goals and enhance food security.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and cooperation in the coming phase to achieve mutual interests.