UN Chief Guterres Accepts Official Invitation to Attend Arab Summit in Baghdad
The meeting between Obaid and Guterres also touched upon pressing topics on the UN agenda in light of ongoing regional and international shifts.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has formally accepted Iraq’s invitation to attend the upcoming Arab League Summit, scheduled to be held in Baghdad on May 17, 2025. The confirmation was announced on Wednesday by Iraq’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Abbas Kazem Obaid.
During a bilateral meeting, Ambassador Obaid delivered the official letter of invitation on behalf of Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, conveying Iraq’s earnest request for the Secretary-General’s presence at the high-level gathering. The invitation also carried personal greetings from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
Baghdad Summit Gains Diplomatic Momentum
The presence of Guterres at the summit is widely viewed as a diplomatic endorsement of Iraq’s efforts to reassert its regional leadership role and to foster collective Arab dialogue amid complex geopolitical transformations. Iraqi officials emphasized that Guterres’ attendance would add significant weight to the summit’s deliberations, especially on matters of multilateral cooperation and conflict resolution.
The meeting between Obaid and Guterres also touched upon pressing topics on the UN agenda in light of ongoing regional and international shifts. Key areas of focus included development financing, climate change, and sustainable development—issues prioritized by the Group of 77 and China, currently chaired by Iraq.
Iraq’s Chairmanship of G77 and Vision Beyond UNAMI
Ambassador Obaid underscored Iraq’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with the UN and its specialized agencies, reaffirming Baghdad’s intent to support collective efforts aimed at achieving common global objectives under the banner of shared responsibility.
The two sides also discussed Iraq’s post-UNAMI roadmap, as the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq is set to conclude by the end of 2025. Iraq praised the mission’s contributions over the past two decades, recognizing its pivotal role in stabilizing governance structures, facilitating democratic transitions, and supporting post-conflict recovery.
The ambassador confirmed that Iraqi institutions have already begun implementing necessary measures to ensure a responsible and coordinated conclusion of UNAMI’s presence, signaling Iraq’s growing institutional maturity and national sovereignty.
Secretary-General Guterres expressed gratitude for the official invitation and welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with Arab leaders during the summit. He acknowledged Iraq’s substantial progress in governance, development, and regional diplomacy, noting that the planned termination of UNAMI reflects Iraq’s evolution into a capable and self-reliant state.
