The meeting hosted in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, concluded with the adoption of the Baghdad Declaration, announcing the establishment of the Arab Women Judges Network and designating the City of Baghdad as its permanent headquarters. This landmark achievement represents a significant step toward strengthening judicial cooperation among Arab women judges and fostering a unified framework for professional collaboration across the Arab region.
The joint meeting was hosted by the Iraqi Women Judges Association in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Regional Bureau for Arab States. The gathering formed part of ongoing efforts to support initiatives aimed at empowering women within the judiciary and strengthening professional coordination among Arab women judges.
The meeting was attended by Judge Taghreed Abdul Majeed, President of the Iraqi Women Judges Association, together with members of the Association’s Board of Directors. Also participating was Judge Mina Sougrati, President of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ), alongside women judges representing Morocco, Qatar, Algeria, Yemen, and Palestine, reflecting the broad and diverse Arab representation at the founding meeting.
The meeting was held over two days, 13–14 February 2026, as part of the work of the Founding Committee of the Arab Women Judges Network. During the sessions, participants engaged in extensive discussions focused on establishing the Network’s foundational principles and developing its organizational and institutional framework.
The discussions resulted in the formulation of the Network’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives, as well as the unanimous decision by the participating women judges representing the founding member states—Iraq, Morocco, Qatar, Algeria, Yemen, and Palestine—to designate Baghdad as the permanent headquarters of the Arab Women Judges Network.
Through the Baghdad Declaration, the Network affirmed its identity as an independent, professional, and non-political organization, committed to operating within the framework of relevant national and international legal standards. The Declaration further emphasized the principles of judicial independence, the rule of law, professionalism, and mutual cooperation, while respecting the legal and judicial systems unique to each Arab state.
The Declaration also underscored the importance of coordinating Arab efforts to advance the role and performance of women within the judiciary, promoting the exchange of professional expertise, and strengthening communication and cooperation among Arab women judges, thereby supporting the advancement of justice and reinforcing the role of women in the judiciary throughout the Arab region.
As part of the official programme, His Excellency Judge Dr. Faeq Zaidan, President of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq, received the delegation of Arab women judges in the presence of Judge Mina Sougrati, President of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ). During the meeting, he emphasized the importance of strengthening professional cooperation among women judges across the Arab region as a means of enhancing judicial performance. The discussions also addressed a number of administrative and professional matters relating to the work of women judges, their representation within judicial institutions, and ways to further strengthen their leadership roles.
The President of the Supreme Judicial Council commended the outstanding efforts of the Iraqi Women Judges Association in establishing the Network and ensuring the success of this important Arab professional initiative. He also welcomed the designation of Baghdad as the Network’s permanent headquarters, describing it as a reflection of the city’s historical and legal significance and its enduring role in supporting joint Arab judicial initiatives.
