Rwandan Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva met with his Iraqi counterpart, Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, on September 22, 2026, in New York. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Both leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation between their countries, focusing on strengthening economic and commercial relations.
The talks explored opportunities to increase investment and develop partnerships that can deliver mutual benefits. Al-Zaidi highlighted Rwanda's experience in human resource development and its approach to economic reforms, combating corruption, and promoting integrity and transparency. He noted that these experiences could offer valuable lessons for Iraq as it works to improve public services and create a more attractive environment for investment.
Nsengiyumva stressed the importance of strengthening Rwanda-Iraq relations and expressed Rwanda's readiness to cooperate in economic development, human resource development, investment, and infrastructure. The two governments' discussions aimed to identify areas where their respective experiences, investment opportunities, and technical expertise can be leveraged to support economic development and stronger commercial ties.
Iraq is seeking to diversify its economy and expand its engagement with international partners, while Rwanda continues to pursue investment and development partnerships across sectors. The meeting between the two prime ministers comes as part of Iraq's efforts to improve its economic situation and Rwanda's efforts to consolidate its economic gains.
The 81st UN General Assembly has brought together world leaders and government representatives in New York for discussions on global development and international cooperation. The high-level week of the assembly provided a platform for countries to engage in dialogue and explore opportunities for collaboration on various issues, including economic development.
Rwanda and Iraq have shown interest in deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, and economic development. The two countries are exploring ways to increase economic ties, with a focus on mutually beneficial partnerships. This meeting marks a significant step towards strengthening economic relations between the two nations.
The discussions between Nsengiyumva and Al-Zaidi reflect the growing interest in South-South cooperation, where countries from different regions share experiences and expertise to support development. The meeting demonstrated the commitment of both Rwanda and Iraq to exploring new opportunities for economic cooperation and collaboration.
Key points
- Rwanda and Iraq discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and economic development.
- The two countries explore opportunities to increase investment and develop partnerships that can deliver mutual benefits.
- Iraq seeks to diversify its economy, while Rwanda pursues investment and development partnerships across sectors.
