Ninth Sulaymaniyah Forum kicks off

The forum began at the American University of Sulaymaniyah with the attendance of more than 700 prominent figures such as Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, as well as politicians from North and East Syria.

Also participating in the forum were Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Federal Region, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Region; Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister, and Ilham Ahmed, Co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, along with several representatives from foreign and European countries.

In his opening remarks, Barham Ahmed Salih, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Sulaymaniyah, welcomed attendees, noting that the region is facing serious and frightening challenges. However, he emphasized that there are also real opportunities for dialogue and understanding to overcome crises and achieve economic development. He added: “We are gathered here to explore ways to move from periods of violence to a new reality based on resource utilization and economic growth.”

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani stressed the importance of the forum as an opportunity to discuss current challenges, praising Sulaymaniyah as a symbol of culture, history, and resistance against dictatorship. He affirmed that the federal government prioritizes the Iraqi citizen, stating: “We have adopted an approach aimed at building a strong state and have raised the slogan of a service-based government as a social contract between the citizen and the state.”

Al Sudani highlighted the progress his government has achieved across various sectors, particularly in infrastructure, energy, and job creation, with a focus on youth empowerment. He also rejected any political interference in the government’s work and emphasized the need for bold and comprehensive reforms to ensure stability and build a strong state.

Additionally, he announced his intention to run in the upcoming elections, reaffirming the government's commitment to its reform agenda and the support of state institutions.

For his part, Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, expressed his pleasure at participating in the forum, emphasizing that the world is undergoing profound transformations that directly impact the region, including economic crises, migration, and climate change. He stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing these challenges.

Barzani noted that the Kurdistan Region aims to play a positive role in enhancing regional stability and confirmed its commitment to joint action with the federal government and neighboring countries.

He also emphasized that the prosperity of the Kurdistan Region is an integral part of Iraq's overall stability, pointing out that attempts to marginalize the Kurds have only led to more suffering and division. He added: “It is time for all of us to live in an atmosphere of peace, stability, and mutual respect.”

The Kurdistan Region President reaffirmed his commitment to the Iraqi constitution and the need to implement Article 140, calling for continued dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad to resolve all outstanding issues and ensure the rights of all components of the Iraqi people.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Hassan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Iraq, stated that Iraq today is experiencing a different reality than in the past, emphasizing the need to preserve the achievements of recent years.

Al-Hassan said: “Iraq has reached a stage where it no longer needs the presence of a UN mission, which reflects the development of the political and security situation in the country.”

He added that Iraq is approaching a major constitutional milestone in the form of upcoming elections, and noted that the UN is working to support this process to ensure successful elections and advance the path of development and reform.

The Sulaymaniyah Forum is an annual platform for political and intellectual dialogue held in the city of Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, hosted by the American University of Sulaymaniyah. Launched in 2013, it has since become one of the most prominent intellectual and political events in Iraq and the region.

The forum aims to create an open space for dialogue, bringing together decision-makers in politics, economics, and academia from various backgrounds to discuss national, regional, and international challenges and propose practical strategic solutions.

It attracts prominent figures from both the Iraqi federal and regional governments, as well as representatives from international organizations and Western and regional countries, highlighting the growing importance of this event in shaping public policy and future directions in Iraq and the region.

A-H

ANHA