MEPS 2023 to focus on peace and stability in the Middle East

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On Sunday, the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) will host the fourth Middle East Peace and Security (MEPS) Forum from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21. The forum will center around the theme "Renewal, revision, and resilience: the future of the Middle East."

Middle East Peace and Security Forum 2023#MEPS23 pic.twitter.com/rmcjqhyLL7

— MEPS Forum (@MEPSForum) November 9, 2023

“Since its establishment in 2019, the MEPS Forum has been an annual summit hosted by the AUK to provide a space for candid discussions on the most pressing issues facing the Middle East and North Africa,” Halmat Kestai, the Manager of Institutional Marketing within the Office of Communications at the AUK (AUK) told Kurdistan 24.

The MEPS Forum has partnered with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Oxford University, Carnegie Corporation, Crisis Response Council, and Middle East Institute.

Read More: AUK, AUK Foundation host 3rd Middle East Peace and Security Forum

The Forum will gather senior decision-makers in Erbil and Baghdad, the wider Middle East, Europe, the United States and China.

We will be welcoming the Former Prime Minister of the UK, @BorisJohnson at this year’s MEPS 2023.#MEPS23 pic.twitter.com/UR57JxpFCy

— MEPS Forum (@MEPSForum) November 13, 2023

Kestai told Kurdistan 24 that this year MEPS 23 is hosting political figures of the highest caliber, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, President of Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, at AUK in Duhok City.

Read More: Not wise to be suspicious of Iraq’s new government intention now, PM Barzani tells Kurdistan 24

Also last year, MEPS hosted prominent political figures, including PM Masrour Barzani.

Renewal, revision, and resilience

“Adding representatives from Iraq, guests from the Arab World and Turkey, as well as ambassadors from Western countries to that, all in one event, is truly remarkable,” Kestai added.

Moreover, he said that MEPS 23 is guided by two mottos. “The first is the official title, "Renewal, revision, and resilience: the future of the Middle East." What I believe should not be overlooked is the word revision,” Kestai added. “Because the Middle East has a history of unresolved wars and conflicts, it appears that we are constantly attempting to put out fires here and there.”

“But, in order for the people of this region to finally live in peace and for the countries in the region to gain stability, we must reconsider how we have dealt with issues in the past and why we have not been successful in achieving the goal of a peaceful Middle East.”

Eyes on Duhok

Moreover, he said that the second motto on which the AUK’s Communications and Marketing division is focusing is: All Eyes on Duhok.

“We all remember this city hosting conferences and important meetings while ISIS was only a few kilometers away, demonstrating Kurdistan's and especially Duhok's resilient mentality,” he added.

“Also in Duhok, the American University of Kurdistan is gathering international stakeholders for the fourth year in a row, and has proven to be a great platform for the entire world to come together and address the most pressing issues affecting Kurdistan and Iraq, as well as the Middle East and the entire world.”