Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representative to the United States Treefa Aziz delivered a keynote speech at the University of Central Florida’s Kurdish Studies Program conference on Thursday, underlining that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is a key player in promoting regional peace and security in the Middle East.

“Iraq is balancing its relationship with both the United States and Iran, seeking stability amid internal challenges, while the Kurdistan Region navigates complex dynamics with Baghdad and regional powers to preserve its autonomy and economic future,” she said in her speech. 

“These shifts underscore the region’s fluid and dynamic nature, with far-reaching consequences for security, trade, and global energy markets. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is nestled right in the heart of the Middle East and its evolving dynamics, and it has played a role in promoting regional peace and security.”

Representative @treefa_aziz delivered the keynote speech at University of Central Florida’s Kurdish Studies Program conference: Kurds on the Global Stage. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is a key player in promoting regional peace and security in the Middle East, she emphasized. pic.twitter.com/4kyw6R6a0T

— KRG-USA (@KRG_USA) February 27, 2025

Dialogue

She also added that the Kurdistan Region has actively facilitated dialogue between key players, including efforts to mediate peace talks between Turkiye and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), to reduce hostilities and foster stability.

Read More: Iraqi Kurdish Leaders Welcome Ocalan’s Message

The KRG official expressed hope that Thursday’s message from imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan calling on the PKK to disarm and support a peace process in Turkiye will bring “peace after decades and decades of armed struggle.”

Kurdish unity in Syria

Additionally, Aziz said that the KRG has worked to unite Kurdish parties in Syria, enabling them to align with a common Kurdish framework in Damascus to ensure their political and cultural rights.

Read More: President Barzani Discusses Kurdish Unity with SDF Chief

“A key development of this effort was a recent meeting between President Masoud Barzani and General Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces, underscoring the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to Kurdish unity and its role in shaping a more secure and inclusive future of Kurds in Syria.”

Read More: EDITORIAL | The Future of the U.S.-KRG Relationship is Bright

U.S.-KRG Partnership

Furthermore, Aziz stated that the Kurdistan Region’s long-standing partnership with the United States and regional powers further enhances its role as a bridge for diplomatic engagement, counterterrorism operations, and economic development as Iraq navigates its delicate balance between U.S. and Iranian influence. The Kurdistan Region leads the way in fostering dialogue and stability, ensuring that Kurdish interests continue to support a broader vision of general peace.

The KRG envoy also highlighted that the Kurdistan Region remains the most reliable partner of the United States in the region.

“This strong partnership has been instrumental in advancing stability, security, and progress. The United States has been a critical ally in supporting the Kurdistan Region’s security, particularly in the fight against terrorism. Through military cooperation programs and direct assistance, the United States has played a vital role in strengthening our peshmerga forces and supporting the modernization and the unification of our defense under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.”

ISIS threat

Aziz stated that this coordination between the Kurdistan Region and the U.S.-led coalition to combat ISIS has been a key factor in dismantling the terror group’s territorial operational capacity.

However, she warned that ISIS “remains a persistent and deadly threat, making the presence of the U.S.-led coalition forces essential for the long term.”

Economic cooperation

Furthermore, Aziz said that the KRG has also been strengthening economic cooperation with Gulf countries, recognizing the region’s potential as a strategic trade and investment hub.

“The KRG has engaged with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar to attract investment in key sectors such as energy infrastructure and agriculture, leveraging Kurdistan resources and strategic location. Gulf investors have shown increasing interest in the Kurdistan Region by expanding the private sector, particularly renewable energy and tourism logistics, as part of their broader efforts to diversify their own economies beyond oil,” she said.

Elections

Last year in October, the Kurdistan Region completed its sixth parliamentary elections, which was observed by a total of 1,800 international observers and saw a 70% voter turnout. “And despite its two-year delay, the election process went smoothly in a fair, free, and transparent manner,” Aziz said.

“Discussions with major political parties to form a new cabinet are underway and I’m happy to say that we are optimistic that the next cabinet, the Tenth Cabinet of the KRG, will be finalized in the next month,” she announced.

“The Kurdistan Region remains committed to upholding federalism, safeguarding our economic future and ensuring long-term stability for our people. Our enduring partnerships with the United States, regional allies, and the international community are built on these shared values and responsibilities,” she concluded.