Speech of the Director of the Iraqi Institute for Dialog at the Sixth Baghdad International Dialog Conference

The website of the Iraqi Institute for Dialog publishes, on Sunday, the speech of the Director of the Institute Abbas Radi Al-Ameri, which he delivered during the opening of the fifth edition of the Baghdad International Dialog Conference, which began today.

In the name of God the Merciful

His Excellency the President of the Republic, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid

Ms. Jenin Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations

Dear guests of Iraq

Excellencies, colleagues, university professors, dear students, distinguished attendees…

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings,

At the outset, allow me to express my deep thanks and gratitude to all those who cared and contributed to completing the introductions of the Sixth Baghdad Dialog, especially His Excellency the President of the Republic, His Excellency the Prime Minister and his office, the President of the University of Baghdad, the team of the Iraqi Institute for Dialog and Friends at the Carbo Foundation and the executing company.

 Ladies and gentlemen, in continuation of what we started in the previous editions of the Baghdad dialog since 2017, we reaffirm once again that Iraq is a region of attraction and solutions after it has overcome its artificial ordeals, and we confirm the role of Iraq as a center for regional dialog in the Middle East between the geopolitical rivals after the security talks held in Baghdad between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia resulted in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two regional powers. And continue the dialogs between Iran and Egypt, and between Iran and Jordan, under Iraqi auspices, believing that Iraq is a member of the international system and bears moral responsibilities towards its issues.

The sixth Baghdad Dialog Conference comes as a parallel diplomatic track in support of the official track that began at the Baghdad Cooperation and Partnership Conference in August 2021, in the presence of heads of state and senior diplomats from countries in the region. It was followed by a second edition held in Amman, Jordan in December 2022, and a third edition was scheduled for 2023, which was postponed due to the war on Gaza.

Distinguished attendees

In order to maintain the momentum of dialog, the Iraqi Institute for Dialog is organizing the sixth Baghdad International Dialog Conference under the title "Exploring Regional Communication and the Pivot of Iraq", in cooperation with the German CARPO Foundation for Regional Dialog. The conference aims to continue discussions on regional integration at a time when the world is witnessing worrying crystals and vibrations on different tracks. And while we have seen channels of dialog at the highest political level between geopolitical rivals in the Middle East, it is important that Iraq invest in regional outreach. Iraq is a country with a long history and rich culture, and occupies a vital geographical location in the Middle East. Thus, the stability of Iraq and the strengthening of its role in regional dialog can contribute to the stability of the entire region.

Ladies and Gentlemen

During this conference, a range of topics related to regional communication will be discussed, such as economic, trade, security, cultural and educational cooperation, and high-level personalities from 18 countries will participate in the conference, which provides important opportunities for exchanging views and experiences and establishing new networks of cooperation, hoping that this conference will contribute to enhancing dialog and understanding between countries and peoples in the region, and contribute to finding solutions to common regional challenges.

The outcomes of the Baghdad Dialog will serve as recommendations for decision makers in Iraq and the region, foremost among them the Iraqi government and various political and societal actors. This will make everyone keen on the political, security and economic stability that has been achieved for their country and on developing their governance mechanisms, which will give impetus to the political system, reflect on the welfare of the people, and build trust with the international system.

Iraq also has international obligations to play an active role in combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And he is required to continue his efforts to get rid of the problems that affect its development and to work to strengthen and improve the quality of life for citizens, and to focus on diversifying its economy and strengthening the non-oil sectors, and to take advantage of its geographical position and its long history to be a pivotal link in regional communication and promote dialog and understanding between countries and peoples in the region, and to contribute to finding solutions to common regional challenges and promoting stability and peace in the region.

Best wishes to all of you for success and benefit and I wish you good times in

Baghdad

and peace upon you and God's mercy and blessings

Allow me to invite His Excellency the President of the Republic, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid

To say a word, thank you.