MERI forum opens in Erbil: PM Barzani highlights elections and development initiatives
Prime Minister Barzani stressed that the recent elections were crucial for renewing the Kurdistan Region’s democratic legitimacy.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Middle East Research Institute (MERI) inaugurated its annual forum in Erbil on Tuesday, focusing on "Toward Good Governance and Prosperity." Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, attending the event, underscored the significance of the recently held parliamentary elections and addressed ongoing economic and governance reforms in his speech.
Prime Minister Barzani stressed that the recent elections were crucial for renewing the Kurdistan Region’s democratic legitimacy. "These elections were essential to restore legitimacy to our institutions and positions of governance," he said, explaining that delays due to "obvious reasons and the insistence of some parties" had pushed the elections to Oct. 20. However, the 72 percent voter turnout demonstrated the region’s strong commitment to democratic processes. "The people of the Kurdistan Region have expressed their choice and entrusted those they believe will best serve them," Barzani added, expressing optimism that all parties would accept the results.
Reflecting on the KDP’s electoral success, Barzani reiterated the party’s commitment to prosperity and peace. "The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has pledged to uphold its values of coexistence, resistance, and peace," he noted, affirming the party's dedication to fulfilling its promises to the people of Kurdistan.
Highlighting the achievements of the ninth cabinet, Barzani outlined substantial progress in economic and infrastructure development. "Significant work has been done to develop economic infrastructure and a national strategy for Kurdistan," he said, mentioning the digitization of services as a key project to improve efficiency across sectors. A state-of-the-art data center now supports more informed decisions in areas like health services and ministry affairs. "Now, anyone wanting to start a company can register within hours, thanks to these efforts," he said.
Barzani also addressed recent strides in economic diversification, with growth rising from 1.8 percent to 8 percent, noting expanded access to Iraqi markets for Kurdish agricultural products. "We’ve taken major steps to diversify our economy and improve the banking sector, though more work remains," he said.
In terms of essential services, Barzani emphasized the government's commitment to addressing water and electricity shortages, supporting youth, promoting fair opportunities, and combating corruption. "We’ve achieved a great deal, but some initiatives are ongoing," he acknowledged. The government, he added, is adapting to citizens' needs and global developments, laying the foundation for future steps that prioritize public welfare.
The MERI forum, which brings together experts and leaders to discuss governance and prosperity, continues with discussions on advancing the region’s development and political stability.
