In a groundbreaking move to enhance international collaboration, the Zakho Independent Administration of the Kurdistan Region has officially signed a friendship proclamation with the city of Moorhead, Minnesota, in the United States. This significant agreement was announced on July 2, 2025, by Zakho Independent Administration Head Gohdar Shekho and Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson. The event was attended by numerous U.S. officials, academics, Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation Supervisor Shifa Barzani, and community members.
Moorhead is home to approximately 4,000 Kurdish residents, representing the largest Kurdish community in Minnesota. Mayor Carlson expressed pride in this diversity, stating, “Today, more than 8% of our population is Kurdish, a number that continues to grow and strengthen our community. You’re our neighbors, colleagues, and business owners.”
As Moorhead continues to embrace its diverse population, Mayor Carlson highlighted the contributions of the Kurdish community, stating, “You all contribute to making Moorhead a vibrant and welcoming place.” The excitement and joy felt during the cultural exchange reflect the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect that this new partnership aims to foster.
After over a year of collaboration, Shekho announced the formal signing of the agreement, which encompasses various sectors, including agriculture, culture, and education. “Today marks a historic day for us,” he remarked, stressing that this partnership aims to produce real results rather than remain merely a formal agreement. He added that a delegation from Minnesota is expected to visit the Kurdistan Region and Zakho soon.
A key element of the partnership is the focus on academic collaboration. “We are working with Zakho University to elevate its academic standards,” Tim Downs, President of Minnesota State University Moorhead, commented.
Read more: Minnesota State University Moorhead Partners with University of Zakho
The agreement has received positive feedback from the U.S. diplomatic mission in the Kurdistan Region. In a video message on behalf of the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Deputy Principal Officer Pamela Hack highlighted the significance of this friendship between Zakho and Moorhead, stating, “It is an honor to participate in a proclamation of friendship between the two great cities of Moorhead and Zakho on behalf of the U.S. government. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mayor Shelly Carlson of Moorhead and Mr. Shekho, head of the Zakho Independent Administration, on this historic occasion. Connections like these play a vital role in fostering and sustaining people-to-people connections between communities across nations. Such relationships serve as a cornerstone for strengthening mutual understanding and collaboration.”
She also encouraged the residents of Zakho and Moorhead to seize this opportunity to build enhanced partnerships in cultural exchange, economic development, business ventures, and academic collaboration. Together, these efforts pave the way for a lasting and meaningful relationship between the two communities.
Rob Kupec, a member of the Minnesota State Senate, praised Zakho’s progress and voiced his support for deeper cooperation, emphasizing the potential for knowledge exchange and cultural connections between the two regions.
Following a year and a half of meticulous planning, this partnership represents a formal friendship proclamation that establishes a connection between Moorhead and Zakho, spanning over 6,000 miles. Jihan Birifki, a key contributor to this initiative, remarked, “The signing of this agreement by both mayors imparts a sense of permanence, transforming it into more than just a dialogue.”
The ceremony concluded with the planting of a tree, symbolizing the strengthening of relations and the commitment to friendship between Moorhead, Minnesota, and the Zakho Independent Administration.
