A Tribute to the KRG’s Role in the World Government Summit

Holding diplomatic conferences and government summits remains critical in forging progress in international relations. In such conferences, views can converge alongside the wills of nations, as they are discussed within a framework of dialogue. 

Alongside this, government-to-government exchange thrives, as nations benefit from learning about one another’s experiences, understanding how various initiatives, programs, and strategies have been successfully implemented and how these successes could be applied to their own local context. 

With the slogan Foreseeing Future Governments, the World Government Summit held from February 13-15, 2023, in Dubai was attended by 20 heads of state. Among the attendees were the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of Senegal and head of the African Union Macky Sall, the President of the Republic of Paraguay Mario Abdo Benitez, and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as well as a group of prime ministers including KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and more than 150 governments ministers. 

Also in attendance were international figures, international organizations such as the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, and a group of the elite members of the private sector including thousands of investors.

The summit encompassed more than 220 sessions, in which 300 world personalities including presidents, ministers, experts, thinkers and future makers shared their ideas across 22 international forums. The summit primarily focused on the preparedness of governments for future development and studied plans that help them develop policies and strategies to enhance their future role. 

KRG-UAE friendship

KRG PM Barzani and his accompanying delegation held several significant meetings on the sidelines of the summit with His Highnesses Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister Deputy and Minister of Interior of the United Arab Emirates. 

During these meetings, all expressed their thanks for accepting their invitations and recognized the keenness of the KRG and its continued coordination and cooperation with the UAE to consolidate the well-established relations between the two states. 

Taking pride in their friendship with the Kurdistan Region, the parties discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation at all the levels, especially economic and those of common interest. The UAE showed its openness and willingness to establish renewable energy projects or wind energy and investment in the Kurdistan Region. In return, PM Barzani expressed his thanks for the UAE’s continued support, showed his interest in the UAE’s prosperity and experience in the field of reconstruction and technological development, and expressed eagerness to work to transfer that experience to the Kurdistan Region.

During the visit, PM Barzani and his accompanying delegation also paid visits to the Emirate of Fujairah and the Emirate of Ajman, where he was received by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi and His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, his Crown Prince, and other Emirati personalities. These two visits were for the purpose of consolidating relations and discussing ways to strengthen bilateral relations.

Other bilateral highlights

In another but related part of the conference, PM Barzani met with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili and discussed ways to improve the relations between the Kurdistan Region and Georgia, while stressing the importance of enhancing prospects for coordination and cooperation between the two sides in areas of common interest. The two prime ministers also discussed opportunities for opening the Georgian consulate in the Kurdistan Region and launching direct flights between Erbil and Tbilisi.

Regarding the visit overall, the Consul General of the Republic of Iraq to Dubai and the Northern Emirates Mr. Amad Abdul Hameed Muhammad valued the role of the PM Barzani and his presence at the second World Summit of Governments and underscored the benefits that the KRI gains from attending such conferences and other visits around the world. 

The consul further stated that “we see diplomatically the region has reached the highest levels of relations with the countries of the world, as KRI leaders are warmly received by kings, presidents, and rulers of the world countries.” 

Finally, he expressed his admiration for the prime minister’s follow-up on areas in which he sees positive outcomes for the people and government of the Kurdistan Region, whether they be related to trade, support for national products, investment, or technological development and his attempts to transfer experience to the Kurdistan Region.

Amad Abdul Hameed Muhammad is the Consul General of the Republic of Iraq to Dubai and the Northern Emirate