The parties exchanged views on current regional and international developments and discussed opportunities to establish cooperation between the two countries’ think tanks.

Opening the meeting, IICA Director Javlon Vakhabov briefed the NCSS representatives on the Institute’s activities, objectives and priorities. He also outlined current cooperation processes in Central Asia and engagement among the countries of the region through the Central Asia Plus formats.

NCSS President N. Bunyan noted that Iraq and Uzbekistan share deep historical and cultural ties, providing a favourable basis for expanding cooperation.

According to the NCSS President, the active involvement of research and analytical institutions is essential to building mutually beneficial partnerships.

The organisation of joint expert events and collaborative research were identified as priority areas of cooperation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness to develop practical cooperation.

The National Center for Strategic Studies (NCSS), established in Baghdad in 2012, specialises in security, international relations, economics, energy, transport, water resources, climate and other areas.