For the first time, official Kurdish delegations from Southern Kurdistan and Rojava (Western Kurdistan) are participating simultaneously in the Munich Security Conference (MSC), marking a significant moment in Kurdish political representation on the international stage.

The annual conference, one of the world’s leading global security forums, is being held from Feb. 13 to Feb. 15 and has drawn more than 60 heads of state and government and around 100 foreign ministers from 120 countries.

This year’s official report is titled “Under Destruction,” referring to what organizers describe as a new phase in international crises and global instability.

Participation From the Kurdistan Region

As in previous years, an official delegation from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is attending the conference. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani is participating in the meetings.
Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein is also present in Munich as part of the federal government delegation from Baghdad.

Delegation From Northeast Syria

In what observers describe as a notable development, representatives from northeast Syria are also attending the conference. Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Ilham Ahmed, a senior official in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), are participating.

A delegation from Damascus, headed by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, is also attending the conference.

The presence of both Kurdish delegations alongside representatives from their respective central governments marks a new dynamic at the high-level international gathering.

Political Significance

Analysts say Mazloum Abdi’s participation may carry political significance, reflecting broader international engagement with northeast Syria’s autonomous administration.
The conference setting places representatives from Damascus and the autonomous administration in the same diplomatic arena, which some observers view as indicative of evolving international approaches toward Syria’s internal governance arrangements.

The European Parliament has previously emphasized the importance of a decentralized framework for Syria, though final constitutional arrangements remain under discussion within Syrian political processes.

About the Munich Security Conference

The Munich Security Conference is one of the world’s most prominent forums on international security policy. It convenes senior political leaders, diplomats, military officials and experts each year to discuss global crises and strategic challenges.
The 2026 conference takes place amid ongoing conflicts and shifting geopolitical alignments, with discussions expected to focus on global security restructuring and diplomatic pathways in conflict zones.