Report on Munich Security Conference (MSC)

His Excellency President Barzani attended the Munich Security Conference (MSC), which is the most important event of the year, addressing international conflicts and resolutions. The MSC is dedicated to promoting peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation and dialogue. Over 500 world leaders gathered, including heads of state and other high-level government representatives, to discuss foreign policy and security challenges as well as to discuss possible solutions for regional and international conflicts. 

In addition to speeches by high-level officials in the main conference, there were bilateral diplomatic meetings as well as side events by renowned international institutions and organizations.

President Barzani and the Kurdistan Region's delegation, during the three day conference, met with world leaders and representatives of international organizations and parliaments. In these meetings, President Barzani and his accompanied delegation discussed the current situation, the challenges facing the Region, the ongoing military operation against ISIL and many other important issues.

FEBRUARY 17, 2017 MEETINGS:

James N. Mattis, Secretary of Defense, United States of America

Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Armenia

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran

FEBRUARY 18, 2017 MEETINGS:

Michael Richard Pence, Vice President, United States of America

Ursula von der Leyen, Minister of Defense, Federal Republic of Germany; Member of the Advisory Council, Munich Security Conference, Berlin

António Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations, New York

Haider Al-Abadi, Prime Minister, Republic of Iraq,

Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait, State of Kuwait (and Minister of Interior)

Angelino Alfano, Italian Foreign Minister, Italian Republic

US Bipartisan Congressional Delegation led by Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, and attended by members of the Committee on Armed Services, Committee on Foreign Relations, and Committee on Environment and Public Works.

EPP Delegation (European People’s Party), Head of EPP Parliamentary Group, European Parliament

SPD Delegation (Social Democratic Party of Germany), SPD Parliamentary Group

FEBRUARY 19, 2017 MEETINGS:

Binali Yıldırım, Turkish Prime Minister, Republic of Turkey

(also present was Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs)

Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, Department of State, United States of America

Anas Al Abde, President, Syria National Coalition