The Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the United States participated in a series of diplomatic, policy, and business engagements in New York surrounding the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, advancing the Kurdistan Region’s economic, security, and diplomatic priorities with U.S., Iraqi, and international partners.
Economic diplomacy was a major focus of the Representation’s engagement. KRG-US participated in a business roundtable with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic Council, bringing together Iraqi officials and U.S. business leaders to discuss investment, economic cooperation, and opportunities to deepen commercial ties. The U.S. Chamber hosted a broader series of meetings and business engagements alongside UNGA focused on strengthening international trade and investment partnerships.
KRG-US also partnered with the U.S.-Kurdistan Business Council to help convene a roundtable with Iraqi Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Fuad Hussein and H.E. Fawzie Hariri, Minister, President of Diwan, Kurdistan Region Presidency. The discussion brought together government and private-sector representatives to highlight commercial opportunities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and strengthen engagement between U.S. businesses and Iraqi and Kurdish officials.
Regional security and political developments also featured prominently throughout the week. The Representation participated in Atlantic Council programming examining developments in Iraq and Syria and the future of U.S. engagement in the region. Discussions included the changing security environment following the conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, the future of U.S.-Iraq security cooperation, counter-ISIS efforts, and the implications for the Kurdistan Region. The Atlantic Council has identified these issues as central to the evolving U.S.-Iraq relationship as the military mission transitions to a new framework.
The Representation also attended an Atlantic Council discussion featuring Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa focused on Syria’s future, reconstruction, economic recovery, and regional role. The event formed part of a broader series of high-level conversations taking place in New York as regional leaders gathered for UNGA.
Across these engagements, KRG-US emphasized the Kurdistan Region’s role as a partner of the United States, its interest in expanded trade and investment, and the importance of continued engagement on regional security and stability. The meetings also provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships with Iraqi officials, U.S. policy institutions, business leaders, and international stakeholders at one of the year’s most significant diplomatic gatherings.
The Representation’s participation in UNGA 81 reflected its continued efforts to ensure that the Kurdistan Region remains actively represented in discussions shaping Iraq’s economic future, regional security, and U.S. engagement in the Middle East.
