President Nechirvan Barzani received a high-level UN delegation, led by Mr. Abdallah Al Dardari, the Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In the meeting, the guest delegation discussed the purpose of their visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, which is to help Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to diversify their economies without relying solely on oil. In this regard, the President stressed that the future of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region depends on the diversification of their economy and revenue sources.

The two sides also exchanged views on the climate change as a serious crisis with great ramifications for Iraq; and that Iraq must seriously face the crisis with support from the international community. The delegation reiterated that they will help Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to combat the effects of climate change and to diversify their economies.

The delegation also highlighted their meeting with the Kurdistan Board of Investment, in which they expressed the readiness and support of the United Nations to assist the Kurdistan Region in planning and setting up a roadmap for attracting foreign investment to the Kurdistan Region and creating job opportunities for youth.

For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed the ideas and plans of Mr. Al-Dardari and UNPD, wished him success in his mission, and valued his efforts to help Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.