PM Masrour Barzani arrives at MEPS24 Forum as high-level regional dialogue begins in Duhok
The conference, which began at 10:00 AM with Kurdistan24 as its media sponsor, brings together 124 academics and leaders from 40 countries, with 73% first-time participants.
Nov. 22, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani arrived Friday morning at the American University of Kurdistan-Duhok for the fifth Middle East Peace and Security Conference (MEPS 2024), marking the start of a significant regional dialogue event.
The conference, which began at 10:00 AM with Kurdistan24 as its media sponsor, brings together 124 academics and leaders from 40 countries, with 73% first-time participants.
Kurdistan Region Leadership:
- KDP President Masoud Barzani
- Prime Minister Masrour Barzani
- Interior Minister Reber Ahmed
- Head of Foreign Relations Department Safeen Dizayee
- Head of Technology Department Hiwa Afandi
- Prime Minister's Advisor Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman
- Dr. Huner Issa, MAPS 2024 Director General
Iraqi Leadership:
- President Latif Rashid
- Parliament Speaker Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani
- National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji
- MP Dr. Alaa Al-Rikabi, leader of the Emtidad Movement
- Former Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi
International Participants:
- Former Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu
- British Ambassador Stephen Hitchen
- Russian Ambassador Elbrus Kutrashev
- Former British Ambassador John Jenkins
- Dr. Peyman Asadzade, Harvard University
- Dr. Jonathan Panikoff, Atlantic Council
- Dr. Shirley Yu, London School of Economics
- Dr. Yousuf al-Balushi, Central Bank of Oman
- Dr. Muhanad Seloom, Doha Institute
- Professor Ilham Mania, University of Zurich
- Dr. Bader al-Saif, Kuwait University
- Amb. Peter Galbraith, American University of Kurdistan
- Nadwa Dawsari, Middle East Institute
- Dr. Hassan Ahmadian, University of Tehran
- Dr. David Des Roches, National Defense University
- Dr. Jiuzhou Duan, Tsinghua University
- Professor Irina Zvyagelskaya, Institute of World Economy and International Relations
- Dr. Mohammed Shummary, Senior Advisor to Ammar al-Hakim
- Dr. Alessandro Arduino, King's College London
The conference agenda focuses on:
- Building diplomatic bridges
- Gathering influential leaders
- Presenting solutions to regional challenges
- Addressing current issues
- Examining Western countries' role in the Middle East
The three-day conference serves as a crucial platform for regional dialogue during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East. The diverse participation of regional leaders, diplomats, and academic experts reflects the conference's significance in fostering international cooperation and understanding.