Ethiopia and Iraq Explore New Avenues for Bilateral Relations and Development Cooperation

Addis Ababa, November 11, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia and Iraq have explored opportunities to establish and expand bilateral relations, with a focus on identifying shared development interests and building stronger cooperation through practical engagement.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Iraqi President Nizar Mohammed Saeed on the margins of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, Türkiye.

In a social media post following the meeting, Prime Minister Abiy noted that the two sides exchanged views on Ethiopia’s development aspirations and regional issues of mutual interest, alongside exploring areas with potential for development cooperation.

The engagement opens a diplomatic avenue for two countries whose histories are deeply connected to the early chapters of human civilization. Ethiopia and Iraq each possess a rich civilizational heritage, providing a historical backdrop to efforts to cultivate stronger contemporary relations.

The two leaders underscored the importance of building closer ties through practical collaboration, with the discussions focusing on identifying areas of shared potential and expanding bilateral engagement.