The Barzani Headquarters has issued a statement concerning the «MERI» conference (MERI Forum), declaring that this year’s MERI conference failed to adequately take political pluralism and the participation of political currents from other parts of Kurdistan into account in inviting its guests and arranging its panels.
The Barzani Headquarters’ statement also says: At a conference of such importance, the representation of the Kurdish people’s issue in other parts of Kurdistan should have been reflected with the participation of all currents; we inform everyone that MERI has no connection with us.
Text of the Barzani Headquarters’ statement:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Regarding the holding of the MERI conference 2026 in the city of Erbil, it is regrettable that this forum was unable this year to adequately take political pluralism and the participation of political currents from other parts of Kurdistan into account in inviting its guests and arranging its panels.
At a conference of such importance, the representation of the Kurdish people’s issue in other parts of Kurdistan should have been reflected with the participation of all currents.
This approach has caused concern among the steadfast and indigenous people of other parts of Kurdistan and is leading to deeper discord and division among the children of the people of Kurdistan. We also inform everyone that (MERI) has absolutely no connection with us.
Barzani Headquarters
13 October 2026
