Last month, a senior delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), led by
Minister Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, concluded a productive
visit to Washington, D.C., focused on advancing energy, economic, and political cooperation
with the United States. Minister Dizayee was joined by Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister Ms.
Bayan Abdul Rahman and KRG Representative to the United States Treefa Aziz.
The visit built on the momentum of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s official trip in May and
came at a critical time for the Kurdistan Region, as it navigates ongoing financial and regional
security challenges.
Throughout the week, the delegation met with senior U.S. officials, congressional leaders,
business executives, and members of the policy community. In a high-level meeting with
officials from the Office of International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, discussions
focused on energy sector development, infrastructure resilience, and the Kurdistan Region’s
growing role in advancing energy security across Iraq and the broader region. The delegation
also met with members of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council to explore
new areas for U.S.–Kurdistan energy collaboration.
At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Minister Dizayee and the accompanying delegation
participated in a roundtable discussion, led by Chairman Ross Perot Jr. and Vice President Steve
Lutes, to discuss reopening the Iraq–Turkey Pipeline (ITP), supporting U.S. private investment
in the Kurdistan Region, and preparing for future American business delegations. In a separate
meeting with the United States–Kurdistan Business Council, Minister Dizayee thanked members
for their continued engagement and reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to its U.S.
partners across key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and industry.
Minister Dizayee also participated in a policy roundtable hosted by the Middle East Institute,
bringing together experts from think tanks, government, and academia. He outlined the
Kurdistan Region’s strategic priorities, regional diplomatic efforts, and ongoing relations with
Baghdad and neighboring countries. The Minister later addressed the Gold Institute for
International Strategy conference, offering insights on current regional dynamics and
highlighting opportunities for deeper international cooperation with the Kurdistan Region.
The delegation held a series of key engagements with U.S. lawmakers, meeting with Members of
both the Senate and House of Representatives, including Senator Chris Van Hollen (Maryland),
Congressman Abe Hamadeh (Arizona), and Congressman Jim Baird (Indiana). Discussions
focused on shared priorities such as security, counterterrorism, economic development, and the
protection of constitutional rights in Iraq.
As part of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting religious
and ethnic communities in the United States, Minister Dizayee participated in the Assyrian
Martyrs Day commemoration at the U.S. Capitol and met with members of the Assyrian
community. The KRG values its deep ties with the diaspora community and remains committed
to strengthening cooperation with all ethnic and religious groups.
The KRG delegation visit underscored Kurdistan’s commitment to advancing a strategic
partnership with the United States based on shared interests, mutual respect, and a vision for
stability and prosperity in Iraq and the Middle East.
