Peace and the Sulaimani Forum: President Nechirvan Barzani’s Vision for Kurdistan and the Region

In his speech at the 2025 Sulaimani Forum, President Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed a long-standing Barzani legacy—peace not just as policy, but as a foundational ideology for the Kurdistan Region and the wider Middle East. Speaking in the heart of Sulaimani, a city known for political diversity and dialogue, Barzani emphasized that peace is the true strength of nations and the path to stability, prosperity, and regional cooperation.

This vision is rooted in family legacy. His grandfather, Mulla Mustafa Barzani, forgave party members who betrayed him in the 1960s, choosing unity over revenge. His father, Idris Barzani, worked to end Kurdish civil conflict in the 1980s, earning the title “the peacemaker.” Today, Nechirvan Barzani carries forward this tradition, becoming a symbol of peace not only for the KDP but for all of Kurdistan.

Barzani’s message was clear: peace allows all communities to thrive, and diplomacy must guide relations within Iraq and with neighboring countries. He stressed the importance of the Iraqi Constitution, dialogue with Baghdad, and peaceful solutions to regional issues, including the Kurdish question in Syria. He also called for internal unity, urging Kurdistan’s political parties to form a functioning government.

In a region shaped by decades of war, President Barzani stands out as a leader committed to building bridges. His speech at the Sulaimani Forum was not just a political address—it was a declaration that peace is Kurdistan’s identity, strategy, and future.