Rwanda and Iraq have expressed interest in deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure and economic development following talks between their prime ministers in New York.
Rwandan Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva met his Iraqi counterpart, Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, on September 22, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where both leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting focused particularly on strengthening economic and commercial relations, with the two sides exploring opportunities to increase investment and develop partnerships that can deliver mutual benefits.
Al-Zaidi highlighted Rwanda’s experience in human resource development, as well as its approach to economic reforms, combating corruption and promoting integrity and transparency.
According to Iraq’s Prime Minister’s Office, these experiences could offer lessons for Iraq as it works to improve public services and create a more attractive environment for investment.
For his part, Nsengiyumva stressed the importance of strengthening Rwanda-Iraq relations and expressed Rwanda’s readiness to cooperate in economic development, human resource development, investment and infrastructure.
The talks come as Iraq seeks to diversify its economy and expand its engagement with international partners, while Rwanda continues to pursue investment and development partnerships across sectors.
The two governments’ discussions are therefore aimed at identifying areas where their respective experiences, investment opportunities and technical expertise can be leveraged to support economic development and stronger commercial ties.
The meeting was held during the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly, which has brought together world leaders and government representatives in New York for discussions on global development and international cooperation.
