Sudani urges new ambassadors to stay above politics, project Iraq’s ‘recovery’

BAGHDAD – Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Monday with newly appointed Iraqi ambassadors, telling them their posts should be treated as “a mandate and a responsibility” rather than a privilege, according to a statement from his media office.

Al-Sudani said ambassadors must remain “above political alignments or disputes” and act as professional representatives of Iraq and its people, the statement said. He added that Iraq is entering “a phase of recovery, stability, and renewed regional leadership,” and urged the diplomats to reflect that shift in their work abroad.

Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Monday, with the newly appointed Iraqi ambassadors, extending his best wishes on earning the confidence of the government and the Council of Representatives to represent Iraq diplomatically abroad.

The Prime Minister emphasized that an ambassador’s mission is not a privilege, but a mandate and a responsibility to represent the nation. He underscored that ambassadors are entrusted with safeguarding the interests of Iraq and its people, in all their components, by applying their professional experience in diplomatic work. He noted that the selection process was governed by strict standards and criteria, expressing full confidence that those appointed will faithfully represent Iraq, contribute to shaping its diplomatic strategy, and help build a modern diplomacy capable of meeting future requirements.

Below are the main points from the Prime Minister’s remarks:

🔷 Ambassadors must remain above political alignments or disputes.
🔷 Iraq is entering a phase of recovery, stability, and renewed regional leadership, despite past challenges.
🔷 The government has maintained a clear and consistent approach in its foreign policy, establishing broad relations rather than limiting them to specific countries.
🔷 Iraq maintains its principled stance on the Palestinian cause and the Israeli aggression affecting Arab and Islamic nations.
🔷 It is essential to present Iraq’s balanced position on regional developments while safeguarding national interests.
🔷 Strengthening economic partnerships is a priority, and ambassadors should provide studies and proposals to support this effort.
🔷 Embassy work must reflect the positive developments in Iraq’s reconstruction, growth, and stability.
🔷 Economic diplomacy must be strengthened as Iraq moves toward a diversified economic model.
🔷 The government has advanced economic reforms through a series of reforms in banking, customs, and taxation to create an attractive investment environment.
🔷 Environmental challenges and the water crisis require a central diplomatic role in negotiations with relevant states and international organizations.
🔷 Soft diplomacy must be reinforced through cultural and sports exchanges that build bridges between nations.
🔷 All necessary support will be provided to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our ambassadors abroad.
🔷 Joint committees must be preserved and activated, as they constitute the foundation of Iraq’s bilateral relations.
🔷 In the past, under the former regime, Iraqi citizens avoided Iraqi embassies; today, the state, its institutions, and its embassies exist to serve the citizen.
🔷 A core priority for ambassadors is to support Iraqi communities worldwide, address their needs, and strengthen their connection to their homeland.