ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has confirmed that the 34th Arab League Summit will be held in Baghdad on May 17, marking a significant moment in Iraq’s broader efforts to enhance its regional and international standing.
Hussein on Thursday met with relevant parties to review "logistical, organizational and technical preparations," as well as "detailed plans to ensure the success of the event,” including “ceremonial procedures and security and media coordination," according to a statement from the Iraqi foreign ministry.
The Arab League Summit is a major event that brings together the heads of state and high-ranking officials from the 22 member countries. It serves as a platform for discussing critical issues facing the Arab world, including economic, political, and security challenges.
The Iraqi government is working to ensure "all appropriate conditions" are in place for a successful summit to present “a positive image of the country and enhance the path of joint Arab action," the foreign ministry statement added.
In mid-February, Hussein held a high-profile meeting attended by Baghdad’s foreign and interior ministers, where officials emphasized “enhancing economic cooperation and supporting efforts to achieve regional security and stability” as key topics expected to top the agenda at the May 17 summit.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani last year announced that his country would host the 34th Arab League summit in Baghdad in 2025, describing it as a sign of Iraq’s continued integration into the Arab world.
In recent years, Baghdad emerged as a key mediator between regional rivals, hosting multiple rounds of talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia. These discussions, mediated by Iraq and Oman, culminated in a landmark China-brokered deal in March 2023 that normalized diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran after seven years of severed ties.
Iraq has also offered to mediate in various regional and international conflicts, including the Yemen conflict - described by the United Nations as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises - as well as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
