Kurdistan Region President Holds Series of Diplomatic Meetings on Sidelines of Global Climate Summit

ARK News.. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani held a series of high-level diplomatic meetings on the sidelines of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), taking place in Antalya, Turkey. His meetings with the UN secretary-general, the president of the European Commission, and Turkey’s defense minister focused on climate change, regional stability, and prospects for strengthening bilateral relations.

According to a statement issued by the Kurdistan Region Presidency on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Barzani held an expanded meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Discussions covered the overall political and economic situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the latest developments in dialogue and relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and geopolitical tensions across the region.

Both sides stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to ease tensions and safeguard regional peace and security. They also underscored the need to rely on dialogue and peaceful, diplomatic solutions to resolve outstanding disputes.

Barzani also met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They reviewed partnership and cooperation between European Union institutions and both Baghdad and Erbil, emphasizing the importance of expanding joint cooperation, particularly in addressing the effects of climate change and protecting the environment. They also exchanged views on pressing political and security developments and ways to maintain regional stability.

On security and military matters, Barzani held a meeting with Turkish Defense Minister Yashar Gular. The two discussed the latest security and field developments in the region and explored ways to strengthen security coordination and cooperation among Turkey, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region in pursuit of mutual interests and greater border and regional stability.

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