Saudi Arabia and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to combat the illicit trafficking of narcotics, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors, during talks in Riyadh between Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud and Iraqi Health Minister and head of the Supreme Committee for Combating Drugs Dr. Saleh Al-Hasnawi.
The agreement aims to curb the spread of drugs and improve the two countries’ response capabilities.
Iraqi Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Safia Al-Suhail told Asharq Al-Awsat the memorandum contains 17 clauses setting out frameworks for technical, information-sharing and oversight cooperation to tackle the growing challenges of illicit drug trade and bolster both national and regional readiness.
Al-Suhail said the meeting also explored ways to strengthen institutional coordination in the fight against narcotics and chemical precursors, alongside the signing of the accord between the two interior ministries.
She voiced optimism over bilateral efforts in recent years, citing “tangible successes” such as the seizure of large quantities of drugs, dismantling of trafficking networks, and the strengthening of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programs. The new agreement, she added, is expected to expand joint action to build a safer and healthier environment and reinforce regional partnerships against the cross-border threat.
Al-Hasnawi, who headed a high-level delegation, also met with Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel in Riyadh on Wednesday, where the two sides signed a separate memorandum of understanding to advance healthcare cooperation. The deal seeks to develop partnerships and widen the scope of collaboration to meet the two nations’ aspirations for an effective and sustainable health system.
Al-Suhail said the health accord provides an integrated framework to expand cooperation in areas such as investment in medical services, digital transformation, epidemic prevention and response, addiction prevention and treatment, and capacity-building through joint technical teams. It also envisages the exchange of technical and administrative expertise from leading institutions in both countries, paving the way for a “sustainable health approach based on institutional cooperation and practical development to improve future service quality.”
The memorandum includes plans to strengthen healthcare systems by boosting investment in the sector, improving patient referral services between the two countries, and expanding the use of digital health technologies, including virtual medicine and remote services. It also covers preventive care, public health, crowd health management, and epidemic preparedness through effective prevention measures.
Further areas of cooperation include epidemic control, health insurance, health applications, patient safety, clinical pharmacy, crisis management and pharmacovigilance.
Al-Suhail described Al-Hasnawi’s visit as “fruitful” in enhancing bilateral cooperation, saying joint coordination between Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry and Iraq’s Health Ministry – supported by intelligence and security agencies – is a “key pillar” in tackling the drugs problem and its social impact.
The Iraqi delegation’s brief but packed program included field visits to leading medical facilities in Riyadh, such as King Fahd Medical City, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the Virtual Health Hospital, the Command and Control Center, and the National Center for Health Crisis and Disaster Management.
The ambassador said the tour aimed to review Saudi Arabia’s successful healthcare models and explore ways to adapt them in Iraq.
