ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The annual Middle East Research Institute (MERI) Forum is set to open in Erbil on Monday, bringing together senior Iraqi and Kurdish political leaders, diplomats and regional policymakers for two days of discussions on security, political deadlock, Kurdish rights and the future of the Middle East.
The forum, held under the theme “The Region We Share: Advancing Stability, Cooperation and Prosperity,” will run for two days, with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani, Mazloum Abdi, an adviser to the Syrian presidency and former commander-in-chief of the now-dissolved Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and former Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani among the prominent speakers.
Organized by MERI, the annual gathering aims to bring together policymakers, academics, diplomats and civil society representatives to discuss regional challenges and propose practical solutions.
This year's discussions come amid significant political and security developments in Iraq and the wider region, including the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq, continued political deadlock in the Kurdistan Region, uncertainty over Syria's future and the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States.
According to the official program, the opening day will begin with remarks by MERI President Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, followed by a panel on Syria's future featuring Kurdish politician Elham Ahmed, a member of the Syrian People's Assembly's Foreign Relations Committee, and Najib Ghadbian, a senior adviser to Syria's foreign minister.
Talabani will participate in a discussion on strengthening Kurdish unity, security and regional partnerships, while Sudani will address governance, political compromise and state-building in Iraq.
Barzani is scheduled to conclude the first day's panel discussions with a session examining the Kurdistan Region's resilience amid domestic challenges and regional instability.
The forum will also address the Kurdistan Region's prolonged political deadlock, including the failure to form a new government following the October 2024 parliamentary elections and the continued suspension of parliamentary activities.
Negotiations between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and PUK have failed to produce an agreement on the formation of a new cabinet, with disagreements over the distribution of senior positions and government responsibilities.
The Kurdistan Region held parliamentary elections in October 2024, with the KDP securing 39 seats and the PUK winning 23 in the 100-seat legislature. Neither party secured an outright majority, leaving the formation of a new government dependent on negotiations.
Relations between Erbil and Baghdad are another key focus, particularly longstanding disputes over the Kurdistan Region's budget, public sector salaries, oil revenues and the implementation of constitutional provisions.
Earlier this month, President Barzani called for resolving outstanding disputes between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region as Iraq entered a new phase following the coalition withdrawal.
“The time has come to address and resolve all outstanding issues in Iraq, starting with Erbil-Baghdad relations, arms control, and the rights of all components,” Barzani said during a conference in Baghdad on October 1.
Security challenges following the withdrawal of coalition forces will feature prominently on the forum's second day, with discussions focusing on Iraq's ability to maintain security, defend its airspace and confront the continuing threat posed by the Islamic State (ISIS).
The US-led coalition completed its military withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, ending its military mission in the country under a 2024 agreement between Washington and Baghdad. The coalition's counter-ISIS mission continues from outside Iraq, while Washington and Baghdad move toward bilateral security cooperation.
The withdrawal has raised concerns among Kurdish officials over the loss of coalition military capabilities, particularly air defense systems, amid repeated drone and missile attacks on the Kurdistan Region.
The forum will also examine the issue of weapons outside state control, including the role of Iraqi armed groups and the government's ability to regulate weapons following the coalition's departure.
Another major topic will be the future of Syria and the political and cultural rights of Kurds, including constitutional guarantees and the right to education in their mother tongue.
The discussions come amid efforts to reshape relations between Damascus and Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria (Rojava), with questions surrounding political representation, decentralization and the integration of institutions remaining central to the country's future.
According to MERI's official agenda, Abdi is scheduled to participate in a panel on Tuesday addressing the future of Syrian Kurds and their political rights.
Turkey's ongoing peace process with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) will also be discussed, with Tuncer Bakirhan, co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), scheduled to address prospects for a political settlement and the steps needed to advance reconciliation.
The PKK announced its dissolution in May 2025 following an appeal by its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, ending its decades-long armed campaign and opening the way for negotiations over a political settlement.
The conflict between Iran and the United States and its consequences for regional security and economic stability will also form part of the broader discussions, alongside diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
Other sessions will examine Iraq's energy strategy, banking reforms and economic relations with international partners, with senior Iraqi officials, foreign diplomats and policy experts expected to participate.
The annual MERI Forum has become a platform for senior political figures to address regional developments and policy challenges.
The 2026 forum is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday afternoon following discussions on the future of Syrian Kurds and their integration into the country's political system.
