PM Masrour Barzani met with key UAE and international officials during the World Government Summit in Dubai to strengthen Kurdistan’s economic and diplomatic ties.
Kurdistan’s diplomatic outreach in the UAE
During his visit to Dubai for the World Government Summit, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani engaged in a series of high-level meetings with global leaders, focusing on economic development, governance reform, and strengthening diplomatic relations. These meetings underscored the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to advancing its international partnerships and leveraging global expertise for economic and infrastructure growth.
Energy and economic development talks with UAE Minister
On February 13, 2025, PM Barzani met with Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, to discuss economic development and energy sector collaboration. Barzani emphasized his government’s ongoing reforms in the energy sector, including initiatives to provide 24-hour electricity across Kurdistan by 2026. Minister Al Mazrouei expressed the UAE’s readiness to support Kurdistan’s development, particularly in energy and infrastructure, leveraging Emirati expertise in renewable energy and power distribution.
Strengthening bilateral relations with UAE’s Interior Minister
On the same day, Barzani also met with Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening friendly relations and cooperation in various sectors, particularly security and governance. Kurdistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, was also present at the meeting, highlighting the regional government’s unified approach to international diplomacy.
Agreement on governance and institutional reforms
A key outcome of Barzani’s visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mohammed Al Gergawi, UAE’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the World Government Summit. This agreement extends a previous cooperation deal for another five years, focusing on knowledge exchange in governance and institutional reform. The agreement aims to adopt successful Emirati models in Kurdistan’s government modernization efforts, including digital transformation and administrative efficiency.
Cultural and social cooperation
In addition to economic and governance discussions, Barzani met with Sheikha Latifa Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai’s Culture and Arts Authority. Their conversation centered on fostering cultural and artistic cooperation between Kurdistan and Dubai. Barzani emphasized the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and cultural development, recognizing the role of arts and heritage in strengthening societal harmony.
High-level talks with UAE President
On February 12, Barzani held a crucial meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The discussion covered a range of regional and global issues, focusing on security, investment, and economic collaboration. This meeting marked a continuation of the Kurdistan Region’s strategic efforts to strengthen ties with key Gulf partners and attract foreign investment.
Kurdistan-Turkey energy relations
Barzani also met with Turkey’s Minister of Treasury and Finance, Mehmet Şimşek, to discuss the resumption of Kurdistan’s oil exports. Both sides emphasized the importance of reactivating the oil trade between Kurdistan and Turkey at the earliest opportunity. The meeting also touched on broader economic and trade relations, highlighting the interdependence of regional economies.
Engagements with Kuwait and the Arab World
During the summit, Barzani met with Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait. The Kuwaiti leader conveyed greetings from Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening relations with Kurdistan. Discussions covered economic cooperation, political stability in Iraq, and expanding bilateral trade.
Additionally, Barzani engaged with Jasem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to discuss deeper Kurdistan-GCC cooperation. The talks reinforced the growing role of the Kurdistan Region as a regional partner in economic and diplomatic initiatives.
Meeting with European Development Bank
A significant meeting took place between Barzani and Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Their discussion revolved around supporting Kurdistan’s private sector development and fostering investment in infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy and transport sectors.
Humanitarian and healthcare initiatives
Barzani met with Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Owais, UAE’s Minister of Health, to discuss cooperation in the health sector. The discussion focused on potential collaborations in healthcare infrastructure, training medical professionals, and enhancing public health initiatives in Kurdistan. Barzani expressed gratitude for the UAE’s continuous support of humanitarian and development projects.
Advancing digital governance and innovation
As part of his broader strategy for modernization, Barzani discussed digital governance and technological transformation with leading UAE officials. He emphasized the importance of e-governance, artificial intelligence, and smart city technologies in improving government services and transparency in the Kurdistan Region. By leveraging the UAE’s expertise in digital innovation, Barzani aims to accelerate the implementation of modern governance solutions in Kurdistan.
Kurdistan’s strategic vision
Throughout his engagements in Dubai, Barzani reiterated his government’s commitment to economic diversification, governance reform, and sustainable development. He highlighted Kurdistan’s role as a stable and secure partner for international investments and economic collaboration.
Speaking at the summit, Barzani stressed the importance of learning from global success stories, particularly the UAE’s economic model, to enhance Kurdistan’s development trajectory. He underscored the significance of public-private partnerships, renewable energy investments, and digital governance as key pillars of Kurdistan’s future growth strategy.
Additionally, Barzani reinforced the need for continued collaboration with international financial institutions and global businesses to drive economic growth. He encouraged multinational corporations and investors to explore opportunities in Kurdistan, emphasizing its strategic location and pro-business policies.
The Kurdish Globe