H.E. Treefa Aziz

KRG Representative to the United States of America

Ms. Treefa Aziz is the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representative to the United States of America, serving as a vital link between the two nations. Taking office in July 2023, she holds the distinction of being the first Kurdish American to assume this esteemed role.

With a rich background in advocacy and diplomacy, Ms. Aziz recently served as a senior advisor to the KRG Prime Minister, H.E. Masrour Barzani, in Erbil. Her primary focus was to strengthen the bonds between the KRG and the United States, as well as other diplomatic missions in Erbil. Through active participation in international conferences, attendance at Council of Ministers weekly meetings, and fostering positive relationships with various ministries, she effectively addressed a wide range of political, security, economic, and cultural issues.

In addition to her invaluable contributions to Kurdish-American relations, Ms. Aziz has more than 25 years of experience in U.S. politics, policy, and advocacy. Throughout her career, she has played integral roles in both the government and the private sector, tackling diverse matters such as federal legislation, appropriations, tax policy, legal services, telecommunications, humanitarian assistance, and economic policy. Notably, in 2013, she worked in Congress for a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, where her expertise was highly valued.

Ms. Aziz's dedication to fostering Kurdish-American ties dates back to the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War in Iraq, Operation Desert Storm, when she served as the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Representative to the United States. Having personally experienced the hardships of political persecution, she emigrated from Kurdistan to the United States with her family in 1977, seeking refuge from the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein and his Baathist government. Raised and educated in the United States, she proudly embraces her dual identity and endeavors to bridge and strengthen relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.

Ms. Aziz holds a Juris Doctorate (JD) from the Washington College of Law at American University, located in Washington, DC. She is also a member of the Virginia State Bar. Her academic accomplishments include a Master of Arts in International Law and Organization from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from James Madison University.