At a Glance

• The Barzani Headquarters officially distanced itself from the event, explicitly stating, “We inform all parties that MERI has no connection to us.”
• The headquarters expressed deep regret over the two-day forum's failure to “adequately reflect political pluralism” or ensure broad political participation.
• The Erbil-based think tank MERI hosted its annual MERI Forum 2026 from October 12–13 to debate regional political and security reforms.

Distancing itself from the MERI Forum 2026 in Erbil over a perceived lack of political pluralism, the Barzani Headquarters disavowed any ties to the event, warning that excluding factions from other parts of Kurdistan risks “deepening fragmentation and division.”

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• The Barzani Headquarters said, “It is regrettable that this year's forum failed to adequately reflect political pluralism.”
• “We inform all parties that (MERI) has no connection to us,” the headquarters emphasized.

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The Barzani Headquarters issued an official statement regarding the MERI Forum, which commenced yesterday and concluded today, asserting the gathering failed to “ensure the participation of political parties” from other parts of Kurdistan in its invitations and panels.

The statement emphasized that, “In such an important forum, it was necessary for the representation of the Kurdish cause from other parts of Kurdistan to reflect the participation of all political factions.”

The headquarters noted that the current approach has generated significant concern among the struggling and native inhabitants of other regions.

Furthermore, the statement warned that this divisive framework “leads to the deepening of fragmentation and division among the people of Kurdistan.”

FYI

The Middle East Research Institute (MERI) is a non-profit policy research organization and think tank headquartered in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region. 

Established in 2014, MERI conducts research on governance, human rights, economics, and security affairs. Its flagship event, the annual MERI Forum, serves as a high-profile diplomatic and political platform in Iraq, bringing together local, regional, and international policymakers, academics, diplomats, and civil society leaders to debate institutional reforms and security challenges.

The MERI Forum 2026 was held from October 12–13, 2026, in Erbil under the overarching theme "In Our Shared Region: Promoting Stability, Cooperation and Prosperity." 

The two-day event prioritized critical discussions surrounding post-electoral government formation challenges in the Kurdistan Region, the future of Erbil-Baghdad relations under the Iraqi constitution, and the changing security landscape following the official conclusion of the U.S.-led Global Coalition's military mission in Iraq.

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