During the works of the 19th Conference of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Arab World, hosted by the United Arab Emirates in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), His Excellency, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Abd Yaser Al-Aboudi confirmed the readiness and preparedness of Iraq and its institutions to host the work of the twentieth session of the Conference of Ministers of Higher Education in the Arab World.

Dr. Al-Aboudi appreciated the recommendations of the conference that resulted in the approval of Iraq's request to host the work of the twentieth session of the Conference of Ministers of Higher Education in Baghdad for 2026.

His Excellency reviewed that Iraq and its specialized academic institutions are ready and prepared to host the work of the twentieth edition, in the interest of the Iraqi government to keep pace with developments in the Arab and international arenas in the fields of higher education and scientific research and to advance academic methodologies and support its approved strategy.

Dr. Al-Aboudi renewed his appreciation for the decision of the Council of the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils, which was crowned by its historic decision to return the Federation to its headquarters in the capital, Baghdad and the positive interaction of the Association of Arab Universities with the proposal of the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to establish an Arab Higher Education Region similar to the European Union experience.

Dr. Al-Aboudi added that the continuous and effective interconnection between Arab institutions and universities and their academic centers would reduce the gap between Arab education spaces and open the way for interaction with solid educational environments in many important global capitals.

It is worth to be mentioned that the 19^th Conference of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Arab World was attended by Ministers and experts from twenty-one countries and eight Arab and regional organizations for the period 27-28 November in Abu Dhabi, entitled (A Flexible Higher Education System that Adapts to Rapid Global Developments) and its recommendations resulted in the approval to host the twentieth edition in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad for 2026.