Iraq & Syria – In the scarred yet resilient heartlands of Iraq and Syria, a quiet but potent form of diplomacy is taking root – one grounded not in politics or power, but in health, education, and the human will to rebuild. At the forefront of this initiative is Kamel Ghribi, President of GKSD and Vice President of the San Donato Group (GSD), whose recent mission to both countries marks a significant chapter in the unfolding story of Mediterranean cooperation.
Reviving Roots in Iraq
Invited by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, Ghribi embarked on a multi-city journey through Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf—cities steeped in millennia of history and now facing the urgent task of modern transformation. In Karbala, amid the solemn courtyards of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein, Ghribi’s agenda fused reverence with reform. Meeting with Minister of Health Saleh Al-Hasnawi, discussions turned toward expanding hospital infrastructure and deepening partnerships in public health.
Karbala’s Governor, Nassif Jassem Al-Khattabi, opened a dialogue about attracting Italian investment to fuel regional development—an effort that resonates deeply with Ghribi’s vision of economic diplomacy.
Further south in Najaf, home to one of Shiite Islam’s most sacred institutions, Ghribi visited the university hospital affiliated with the GSD network. There, he spoke with Italian and Iraqi physicians collaborating on the front lines of healthcare reform. In a significant gesture of partnership, Governor Youssef Kanawi accepted an invitation to Italy, signaling a new phase of cooperation designed to adapt the Italian healthcare model to local needs.
A Stop in Syria: Diplomacy Beyond Borders
As the mission drew to a close, Ghribi made a brief but symbolic stop in Damascus. Here, in a nation still navigating the aftermath of war, he met with Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaybani, Health Minister Musab Al-Nazzal, and Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir.
Their discussions extended beyond immediate recovery—touching on long-term strategies for rebuilding Syria’s health infrastructure, energy networks, and educational systems. Ghribi emphasized the role of knowledge transfer and sustainable development, offering GSD-GKSD’s technical expertise and project planning as tools for a nation in flux. In a region where bridges have too often been burned, his visit was an invitation to build anew.
A Vision for a Shared Future
“There is a profound openness in both Iraq and Syria toward the Italian experience,” said Ghribi. “This is a moment not only for economic engagement but for cultural and human connection.”
His words reflect a broader mission: to reimagine diplomacy not as a series of formalities, but as a practical, humanitarian act. Backed by Italy’s growing influence in the region under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, GSD-GKSD’s work is becoming a model of what international cooperation can look like when grounded in shared values and mutual respect.
In the ancient cities of Mesopotamia and the Levant—where civilization was born—Italy is offering not just aid or investment, but a renewed sense of partnership. And as these countries rebuild, it may well be such partnerships, founded on empathy and action, that determine the success of their journey forward.
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Photographs Courtesy of GKSD Press Office
• Top Left: Kamel Ghribi with Yusuf Kanawi, Governor of Najaf
• Top Right: Kamel Ghribi with Nassif Jassem Al-Khattabi, Governor of Karbala
• Bottom Left: Kamel Ghribi with Asaad Al-Eidani, Governor of Basra
• Bottom Right: Kamel Ghribi with Asaad Hassan Al-Shaybani, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs
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