ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani headed to the UAE on Monday to take part in the World Governments Summit, where he is also set to meet global leaders on the sidelines of the event to “enhance relations” between the Kurdistan Region and the international community in a number of fields, especially economy, trade, and investment.

“Leading a government delegation, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani headed to the UAE to take part in the World Governments Summit, which will be held from February 11 to 13 in Dubai,” read a statement by the KRG. “On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister will hold a number of meetings with world presidents, leaders, and top officials.”

PM Barzani is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and Sasan Auni, minister of Municipalities and Tourism.

The statement added that the meetings will focus on enhancing relations between Erbil and the international community “in the fields of economy, investment, and trade.

“The latest developments in Iraq and the region will also center the discussions,” he added. 

“The participation of the Kurdistan Region’s delegation is part of the ongoing efforts from the Prime Minister to actively engage the Kurdistan Region in the international conferences and forums, to bolster the role and position of Kurdistan as an influential factor and partner in the international community,” the statement detailed. 

In January, PM Barzani headed a delegation of eleven Kurdish investors and businessmen for the World Economic Forum in Davos, meeting world leaders to build stronger relations with the international community, especially in the sectors of trade and investment, and develop the economy of the Kurdistan Region. 

The World Governments Summit is “a global, neutral, non-profit organization dedicated to shaping the future of governments.”

“One of the World Governments Summit’s key themes will explore the critical questions governments are grappling with to ensure their policies are aligned with their citizens’ needs, and how these efforts can be effectively achieved and monitored,” according to the World Government’s Summit Organization.