The Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the United States, H.E. Nizar Al-Khairallah, held a series of high-level meetings with American officials to enhance cooperation in the fields of education, antiquities protection, and cultural exchange.
In a meeting with Congressman Seth Moulton, discussions focused on strengthening Iraqi-American relations and expanding cooperation within the framework of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (MECEA). Regional developments, including events in Syria, were also addressed during the meeting. The Ambassador extended invitations to several members of Congress to expand the membership of the Iraq Group in the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to foster dialogue and increase cooperation for the benefit of the bilateral partnership.
In another meeting, Ambassador Al-Khairallah met with Matthew Bogdanos, Head of the Antiquities Smuggling Unit at the New York Attorney General's Office. The discussion centered on joint efforts to recover smuggled Iraqi antiquities and combat the illegal trade in cultural artifacts. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for Bogdanos' tireless work in protecting Iraq's cultural heritage and returning stolen treasures to their rightful home.
The Ambassador also met with Max Hollein, CEO and Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to explore the establishment of a strategic partnership between the National Museum of Iraq and the Metropolitan Museum. This partnership aims to employ cutting-edge technologies to enhance the visitor experience at Iraqi museums and open new horizons for cultural and scientific collaboration. These efforts will contribute to promoting Iraq's rich cultural heritage on the global stage.
These discussions underscore Iraq's commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships with the United States in education, cultural heritage preservation, and cultural exchange, reflecting the shared values and deep historical connections between the two nations.