Europe News Desk!! UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with senior Iraqi leaders on Wednesday to show UN solidarity with Iraq. “I am here to reaffirm solidarity and the commitment of the United Nations to strengthen Iraq’s democratic institutions and seek peace for all Iraqis,” Guterres said at a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, Xinhua news agency reported. I have come on a journey of commitment to development and promotion of human rights. Earlier on Wednesday, the UN chief held a meeting with al-Sudani to discuss UN-Iraqi relations, climate challenges and Iraq’s need for international assistance in this regard, the media office of the Iraqi premier said in a statement. They also discussed Iraq’s efforts to promote human rights and sustainable development, as well as its leading role in reducing regional tensions, the statement said.
At the press conference, Guterres called on the international community to support Iraq in addressing environmental challenges and diversifying the economy, as Iraq is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Al-Sudani said that, while his government has improved political and security stability in Iraq, the country still faces climate and environmental challenges such as desertification and reduced rainfall. These problems, he said, coincide with the water policies of riparian countries, whether by reducing water flow or changing the course of rivers, which is a challenge to life in general. Guterres arrived in the Iraqi capital on Tuesday and also met Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Parliament Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
–IANS
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