H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Dr. Muhammad Ali TAMIM, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning of the Republic of Iraq, to discuss prospects for enhanced cooperation in the field of socio-economic development.

The meeting centered on advancing joint efforts to address poverty eradication, with a particular emphasis on aligning initiatives with the objectives of Iraq Vision 2030. H.E. Dr. TAMIM stressed the Government of Iraq’s determination to reduce poverty through integrated development strategies that prioritize education, health, employment, and social protection. He highlighted the importance of partnerships with international and regional institutions, such as SESRIC, to mobilize expertise, share best practices, and support evidence-based policymaking.

H.E. SELÇUK commended Iraq’s commitment to sustainable development and underscored SESRIC’s readiness to contribute to the country’s efforts by providing technical assistance, capacity-building, and research support. She highlighted the potential of leveraging South-South Cooperation mechanisms within the OIC framework as a means to facilitate knowledge sharing, strengthen institutional capacities, and replicate successful poverty alleviation programs among member countries.

The meeting concluded with an understanding to maintain close dialogue and cooperation in order to translate the shared vision into actionable outcomes that would support Iraq’s national development priorities within the broader OIC context.