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The forum kicked off on Friday, Nov. 22, with Prime Minister Barzani, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Kurdistan-Duhok, delivering welcome remarks.
he second day of the fifth Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS 2024) continues Saturday at the American University of Kurdistan-Duhok, featuring a special address by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani focusing on the current state of affairs in the Middle East, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region.
The forum kicked off on Friday, Nov. 22, with Prime Minister Barzani, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Kurdistan-Duhok, delivering welcome remarks.
In his subsequent keynote speech, Barzani addressed the regional dynamics and expressed hope that the forum’s discussions and recommendations would benefit all parties involved.
During the first day’s panel discussions, prominent politicians and academics extensively discussed the risks of escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict and armed group involvement, offering various proposals to prevent further warfare. The Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections and the formation of a new cabinet were also key topics of discussion.
The two-day conference, sponsored by Kurdistan24 media network, has drawn approximately 124 academics from 40 different countries, with 73% participating for the first time. Through various panels and workshops, participants are engaging in discussions about the current global situation and Middle Eastern affairs, proposing solutions to regional challenges.
The Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS) is a significant annual gathering that brings together international experts, academics, and political figures to address pressing regional issues. The American University of Kurdistan-Duhok has been instrumental in fostering diplomatic dialogue and academic exchange in the region. The forum serves as a crucial platform for discussing regional security challenges, political developments, and potential pathways to peace in the Middle East.
MEPS24 Day 2 Agenda:
09:00 : Welcoming Remarks by Dr. Randall Rhodes, American University of Kurdistan
9:10 – 9:45 Keynote Speech:
– H.E. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Parliament Speaker, Federal Republic of Iraq
– H.E. Haidar al-Abadi, Former Prime Minister, Federal Republic of Iraq
09:45 – 11:00 Session One| Ten Years on Since “Islamic State”
– Chair: Ms. Clarisse Pasztory, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
– Speakers:
H.E. Qasim Al-Araji, National Security Adviser, Republic of Iraq
H.E. Rebar Ahmed, Interior Minister, Kurdistan Region
Dr. Alaa al-Rikabi, Imtidad; Member of the Iraqi Parliament
Amb. Peter Galbraith, American University of Kurdistan
Ms. Nadwa Dawsari, Middle East Institute
11:15 – 12:30 Session Two| Pathways to Peace: De-Escalation, Collective Security & Economic Integration
Chair: Dr. Christine Cheng, King’s College London
Speakers:
Amb. Jon Wilks, Former UK Ambassador to Iraq, Qatar and Oman
Mr. Steven Bitner, U.S. Consul General in Erbil
Ms. Holly Dagres, Atlantic Council
Dr. Kristin Diwan, Arab Gulf States Institute
Dr. Ali Sindi, American University of Kurdistan
13:45 – 15:00: Session Three | Pragmatic Co-Existence in the Middle East: Limits and Opportunities
Chair: Dr. Eric Alter, Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy
Speakers:
H.E. Elbrus Kutrashev, Russian Ambassador to Iraq
Ms. Jessica Obeid, Middle East Institute
Dr. Hassan Ahmadian, University of Tehran
Dr. David Des Roches, National Defense University
Dr. Jiuzhou Duan, Tsinghua University, China
15:15 – 16:30: Session Four| Special Conversation with H.E. Masrour Barzani
Chair: Ms. Hadley Gamble, CNBC Anchor and Senior International Correspondent
Speaker: H.E. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government
Session Five |Conventional and Emerging Threats: Peacebuilding, Mediation and Climate Security
Chair: Mr. Armin Seif, Oxford University
Speakers:
Ms. Bayan Sami Abdul-Rahman, Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Barzani
Prof. Irina Zvyagelskaya, Institute of World Economy and International Relations
Dr. Mohammed Shummary, Senior Advisor to Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim
Dr. Alessandro Arduino, King’s College London
Closing Remarks :Dr. Honar Issa, Chair of MEPS Forum