At the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Arab States, and the United Nations Development Programme in Iraq;

We, the women judges participating in the founding meeting held in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq, from 12 to 14 February 2026;

Recalling the firmly established principles of justice and the rule of law as foundations for the stability of societies and the protection of rights and freedoms;

Affirming the importance of strengthening Arab judicial cooperation and the exchange of professional expertise in a manner that contributes to the development of judicial work and the consolidation of its independence;

Recognizing the growing role of women judges in supporting judicial systems and strengthening public confidence in justice institutions;

Believing in the importance of establishing a comprehensive Arab professional framework that enables coordination, consultation, and the exchange of knowledge among women judges in Arab countries;

And appreciating the hosting by the Republic of Iraq of this founding meeting in the city of Baghdad, with its deep civilizational and legal significance in the history of humanity;

We hereby declare the following:

First: The establishment of the Arab Women Judges Network as an independent Arab professional framework aimed at strengthening cooperation and communication among women judges in Arab countries, supporting the exchange of professional expertise and knowledge, and contributing to the development of judicial and leadership capacities.

Second: The designation of the city of Baghdad as the headquarters of the Arab Women Judges Network, by unanimous agreement of the participating women judges representing the Arab countries present at the founding meeting, namely: Iraq, Palestine, Algeria, Morocco, Yemen, and Qatar.

Third: The Network shall operate in accordance with the principles of judicial independence, the rule of law, professionalism, mutual cooperation, and respect for the legal and judicial specificities of Arab countries.

Fourth: The Arab Women Judges Network emphasizes the importance of enhancing women’s access to the judiciary on the basis of merit and equal opportunities, and of encouraging policies and institutional practices that support women’s participation at different levels of the judiciary and in leadership positions, thereby contributing to greater diversity within judicial institutions, strengthening public confidence in the justice system, and remaining consistent with international principles supporting equality and the rule of law.

Fifth: The Network seeks to:

• strengthen Arab judicial dialogue and cooperation;
• support training, capacity-building, and exchange-of-experience programmes;
• encourage legal research and knowledge cooperation among Arab women judges;
• represent Arab women judges in relevant regional and international initiatives and forums.

Sixth: The Network reaffirms its professional, independent, and non-political character, as well as its commitment to operating within the relevant national and international legal frameworks.

Seventh: Agreement is reached to adopt the internal regulations, governance structures, and organizational procedures necessary to ensure that the Network carries out its work in an institutional and sustainable manner.

Eighth: A call is made to strengthen cooperation with judicial institutions and with regional and international organizations concerned with supporting justice and developing judicial work.

Issued in Baghdad
Republic of Iraq
14 February 2026

Founding Members of the Arab Women Judges Network:

• Judge Taghreed Abdulmajeed — Iraq
• Judge Farida Boukloua — Algeria
• Judge Mena Sokrati — Morocco
• Judge Iman Nasser Al-Din — Palestine
• Judge Hessa Ahmed Al Sulaiti — Qatar
• Judge Sabah Ahmed Saleh Al-Alwani — Yemen