Since taking up his post in Washington, H.E. Nazar Al Khirullah, Iraq’s Ambassador to the United States, has pursued a diplomacy anchored in practical engagement. His work has focused on strengthening institutional trust, expanding economic cooperation, and aligning Iraq with American partners whose expertise directly supports food security, sustainable agriculture, education, and industrial development. Central to this approach has been a consistent engagement beyond federal corridors, reaching state governments, universities, and private-sector leaders across the United States.
That strategy shaped the Ambassador’s late-December visit to Iowa and Nebraska, an engagement supported by the National U.S. – Arab Chamber of Commerce, which has long facilitated U.S. commercial engagement with the Middle East and North Africa. The visit echoed a broader diplomatic objective: identifying proven American ecosystems and building direct channels capable of translating expertise into long-term partnerships for Iraq.
Across both states, Ambassador Al Khirullah met with governors, cabinet officials, farm bureaus, university leaders, community colleges, and manufacturers to examine how agriculture, sustainability, higher education, and manufacturing intersect in regions that rank among the most productive in the United States. Iowa and Nebraska together account for nearly 14 percent of U.S. agricultural commodity production, valued at approximately $70 billion in 2024, placing them among the most relevant partners for a country seeking to strengthen food systems amid climate and resource pressures.
David Hamod, President and Chief Executive Officer of NUSACC, accompanied the Ambassador throughout the visit, highlighting the Chamber’s role in supporting sustained, sector-specific engagement rather than one-off exchanges.
World Food Prize and the Global Context
The visit opened in Des Moines with the World Food Prize ceremonies, situating Iraq’s engagement within a global forum dedicated to food security and agricultural innovation. Often compared to the Nobel Prize, the World Food Prize honors the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug and draws leaders from government, business, and civil society from more than 75 countries each year.
At the Laureates Ceremony, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds welcomed Ambassador Al Khirullah alongside former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and NUSACC President David Hamod. The 2025 Prize was awarded to Brazilian soil scientist Mariangela Hungria for her work in biological nitrogen fixation, developing low-cost alternatives to synthetic fertilizers that increase crop productivity while reducing environmental impact.
Mashal Husain, President of the World Food Prize Foundation, said the Ambassador’s participation reflected “a meaningful commitment to global cooperation and shared responsibility in advancing food security,” noting that his engagement reinforced the importance of diplomacy and collaboration in addressing hunger and agricultural challenges.
State-Level Engagement and Agricultural Capacity
From Des Moines, the visit moved into substantive policy discussions. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig outlined the state’s leadership in food production, renewable energy, and sustainable practices, expressing interest in building trade relationships that support the people of the Republic of Iraq.
In Nebraska, Secretary of State Robert Evnen welcomed the delegation to the State Capitol and pointed to opportunities for cooperation in precision agriculture and higher education. He highlighted Nebraska’s expertise in agricultural research and its relevance to Iraq’s food security and sustainability priorities.
These discussions were grounded in the scale of Midwestern production. In 2024, Iowa produced approximately 2.7 billion bushels of corn and 590 million bushels of soybeans, while generating nearly 60 percent of its electricity from wind power. Nebraska leads the United States in beef production, generating more than $7 billion annually, and operates a vertically integrated agricultural economy built around corn, cattle, and ethanol, supported by extensive logistics and infrastructure networks.
Farm Bureaus and Market Pathways
Roundtable discussions hosted by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation brought together leaders from commodity groups spanning beef, corn, dairy, dry beans, ethanol, poultry, and soybeans. The focus centered on best practices, precision agriculture, food security, and opening overseas markets.
Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue described Iraq’s growing economy and population as attractive opportunities for exporters, noting that Nebraska’s farmers are actively seeking international markets. Iowa Farm Bureau leaders emphasized the value of partnerships with organizations such as NUSACC in strengthening commercial relationships and improving understanding of global needs and opportunities.
Universities and Research Collaboration
Higher education formed a central pillar of the visit, suggesting Iraq’s plan to send more than 1,000 students to the United States for postgraduate studies in the coming years.
At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, administrators and faculty highlighted strengths in engineering, computing, agriculture, soil health, aquifer management, and water conservation. Tours of the Nebraska Innovation Campus, including the Greenhouse Innovation Center, demonstrated how advanced research facilities are being used to study drought and salinity, conditions closely aligned with challenges facing Iraqi agriculture.
In Iowa, Iowa State University hosted discussions across the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Bio renewables Complex, and the Student Innovation Center. Particular attention was given to the Seed Science Center, the largest public seed-testing laboratory in the world, which has supported global seed quality and research for more than a century.
The Ambassador also visited Drake University, where discussions focused on academic cooperation, cultural exchange, and specialized training programs that complement larger research institutions.
Community Colleges and Workforce Development
The visit included engagements with Metropolitan Community College in Nebraska and Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa, indicating the role of community colleges in workforce development. These institutions serve tens of thousands of students annually through programs in technical trades, healthcare, culinary arts, automotive technology, and industrial manufacturing.
Discussions at DMACC centered on vocational and technical education models relevant to Iraq’s workforce development goals, particularly in manufacturing and applied sciences. DMACC’s national recognition for online education and its emphasis on hands-on training illustrated the adaptability of U.S. community college systems.
Private Sector Engagement
Business engagement rounded out the visit. The Greater Omaha Chamber convened a roundtable with manufacturers, service providers, and academics to explore trade and investment opportunities between Nebraska and Iraq, with attention to precision agriculture and manufacturing.
A visit to Lindsay Corporation, a Nebraska-based manufacturer of irrigation technologies used across the Middle East and North Africa, offered a practical example of Midwest innovation already supporting agricultural productivity in water-stressed regions. The company’s center-pivot irrigation systems align closely with Iraq’s agricultural priorities.
Looking Ahead
Ambassador Al Khirullah described the visit as his first engagement with the American Midwest and noted the openness and candor he encountered across both states. He pointed to clear opportunities for cooperation with the Republic of Iraq and stressed the importance of sustained follow-up to ensure that discussions develop into practical partnerships.
For leaders in Iowa and Nebraska, the visit provided a clearer view of Iraq’s development priorities and potential areas for collaboration. For Iraq, the engagements provided a practical understanding of how agricultural systems, educational institutions, and applied research from America’s heartland can support national resilience and strengthen long-term food security.
