President Masoud Barzani Emphasizes Unity, Democracy at MEPS 2024 Forum

Nov. 22, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan24)- The fifth Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS 2024) commenced on Friday, at the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) in Duhok, marking a significant gathering of regional and international experts.

During his keynote address, President Masoud Barzani highlighted the Kurdistan Region's progress, stating, "The presence of so many distinguished guests at this forum demonstrates both the Kurdistan Region's advancement and the American University of Duhok's established position as a respected institution."

President Barzani emphasized the forum's importance in promoting regional stability, noting, "The entire region needs peace and security. The experience of all nations has shown that conflict yields no results. Peace, mutual understanding, and respect represent the correct path to resolving all challenges."

Reflecting on the recent elections, Barzani praised the Kurdish people's political maturity: "A historic election was held in the Kurdistan Region a month ago. Despite widespread skepticism about its feasibility, I must warmly thank the people of Kurdistan who raised our heads high and demonstrated their sense of responsibility when needed."

The President highlighted the impressive 72% voter turnout and addressed the next steps: "The results are clear, and we hope all parties will respect the legitimacy of the process. After the Electoral Commission announces the final results in the coming days, dialogue between all parties will begin to establish the parliament and subsequent steps."

Barzani called for unity, expressing hope for support in achieving "one region, one parliament, one government, and one Peshmerga force in Kurdistan."

Addressing the recent national census in Iraq, he emphasized its apolitical nature: "It has been confirmed that the census has no political agenda and will not affect Article 140, providing clarity for the federal government to develop its future plans scientifically and systematically."

Looking ahead to Iraq's federal elections, Barzani noted, "This is democracy in action. Following the regional elections and census, we're approaching federal elections in less than a year. We hope the upcoming federal election will be successful, learning from the Kurdistan Region's electoral experience."

Continuing his address at the MEPS 2024 forum in Duhok, President Masoud Barzani emphasized diplomatic solutions and highlighted critical regional challenges, including the growing threat of narcotics trafficking.

"No problem can be solved through force," Barzani stated, highlighting the positive relationship between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq's federal government. "Fortunately, there is good cooperation between both governments to resolve all issues. With goodwill, I believe no problem is insurmountable."

Addressing the ongoing regional conflicts, Barzani expressed deep concern about the situation in Lebanon and Gaza. "The images we see are heartbreaking, and we all pray for a swift end to this conflict," he said, emphasizing that "most importantly, Iraq must avoid becoming entangled in this war."

Looking ahead to potential changes in U.S. leadership, Barzani noted, "Predictions suggest that a Trump administration would differ significantly from President Biden's administration. We hope any changes will benefit the global community, including our region."

In a particularly pointed segment of his speech, Barzani identified drug trafficking as the region's most pressing current threat, surpassing even terrorism. "While terrorism remains a major challenge, I believe the most serious threat we face today is the proliferation of narcotics," he warned. "Tragically, some authorities are turning a blind eye to this issue. Drug manufacturing facilities are being established, operating with impunity, and trade continues unrestricted. This represents the killing of a nation."

He concluded with an urgent call to action: "I hope all countries will take this matter seriously and establish proper controls before it becomes unmanageable."

The Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS) is an annual conference hosted by the American University of Kurdistan in Duhok. It brings together policymakers, academics, and experts to discuss regional security challenges and peace initiatives. The recent Kurdistan Regional elections marked a crucial democratic milestone, while Article 140 refers to the disputed territories between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq, a constitutional matter pending resolution since 2005.

This is a developing report. Stay tuned for further updates.