Zakho Signs Historic Partnership Agreement with US State of Minnesota
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Gohdar Shekho, Supervisor of the Zakho Independent Administration, during a joint event attended by American officials and academics.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Zakho Independent Administration has signed a landmark partnership agreement with the U.S. State of Minnesota, marking a significant step toward strengthening international cooperation across multiple sectors.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Gohdar Shekho, Supervisor of the Zakho Independent Administration, during a joint event attended by American officials and academics.
“We have worked on this project for a year. Today, we signed an agreement with the State of Minnesota. It encompasses several sectors: agriculture, culture, and education, making today a historic day for us,” Shekho told Kurdistan24.
Shekho emphasized that the partnership will move beyond formalities and lead to tangible outcomes. “This agreement will not exist merely on paper; it will be implemented in practice. In the near future, a delegation from Minnesota will visit the Zakho Independent Administration,” he added.
One of the key aspects of the agreement is academic collaboration. Tim Downs, President of Minnesota State University Moorhead, said, “We are collaborating with Zakho University; we can enhance the scientific level of Zakho University.”
The agreement has also been welcomed by the U.S. diplomatic mission in the Kurdistan Region. “We welcome the friendship agreement between the Zakho Independent Administration and Moorhead, which will help promote relations,” said Steven Bitner, U.S. Consul General in Erbil.
In a separate statement, the Zakho Independent Administration highlighted the significance of the agreement, noting that it includes various development initiatives. Rob Kupec, a member of the Minnesota State Senate who met with Shekho, praised Zakho’s progress and expressed his support for deeper cooperation.
The partnership is expected to open new avenues for knowledge exchange, cultural ties, and development programs between Zakho and institutions in Minnesota.
