The Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the United States attended the Atlantic Council’s 2026 Global Energy Forum in Washington, DC, held from June 9–10. The forum brought together senior government officials, members of Congress, diplomats, industry executives, and policy experts to discuss the future of global energy security, infrastructure, investment, and international cooperation.
The two-day forum featured high-level discussions on the shifting global energy landscape, with sessions focused on energy security, regional stability, electricity demand, artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, critical minerals, supply chains, infrastructure development, and the role of U.S. leadership in meeting growing global energy needs.
Featured speakers included U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe, Senator Chris Coons, Representative Ami Bera, Representative Young Kim, Senator Bill Cassidy, Senator Martin Heinrich, former Special Presidential Coordinator Amos Hochstein, Crescent Petroleum CEO Majid Jafar, and senior international officials and energy leaders from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and North America.
As part of the forum, Representative Treefa Aziz was invited to attend a private luncheon roundtable hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative in partnership with Crescent Petroleum. The discussion focused on Iraq’s energy future, the strategic choices facing the country’s next government, and recommendations for strengthening Iraq’s oil and gas sector, expanding domestic capacity, developing critical infrastructure, and positioning Iraq within broader global energy trends.
The KRG Representation’s participation underscored the importance of the Kurdistan Region’s energy sector within Iraq’s overall energy outlook. With its significant oil and gas resources, strategic location, and need for continued investment in infrastructure and development, the Kurdistan Region remains central to discussions on energy security, economic growth, and regional stability.
The forum also provided an important opportunity to engage with U.S. and international stakeholders on the role of energy cooperation in strengthening ties between the United States, Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the broader Middle East. As global demand rises and governments seek reliable, secure, and sustainable energy pathways, the Kurdistan Region’s energy potential remains an important part of the conversation.
The KRG Representation remains committed to supporting dialogue, investment, and partnerships that advance the Kurdistan Region’s energy sector, contribute to Iraq’s long-term stability, and strengthen cooperation with the United States and international partners.
