From 8 to 9 March 2017, the KAS Syira/Iraq office and the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS), held the annual Sulaimani Forum, entitled “Beyond Daesh: Ending the Cycle of Conflicts, Towards Durable Solutions.” The forum was attended by many high-ranking Iraqi and Kurdish officials, most notably the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who came directly from the Mosul offensive to the forum.
The conference was attended by several high-ranking officials. The inaugural address was given by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who came from Mosul to Sulaymaniyah.
In his inaugural address, Abadi stressed the need for societal reconciliation and advocated for more decentralisation and self-determination.
Other high-ranking Iraqi officials were in attendance, such as Salim al-Jabouri, the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament (right), seen here speaking with the former Iraqi National Security Advisor Mowaffaq al-Rubaie.
In addition, academics and political analysts also attended the forum. In his conversation with AUIS founder Barham Salih, Francis Fukuyama (right) pointed out that democracies in the region suffer particularly from the lack of monopoly of force and weak rule of law.
One of the main issues the forum dealt with were possibilities for economic reform. Qubad Talabani (second from left), Deputy Prime Minister of the KRG, said that "universities are still producing students that qualify for jobs that do not exist", highlighting the necessity for educational curriculum reforms.
Another critical issue discussed at the forum was the progress of the Mosul operation. General Talib Shaghati, commander of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service, provided a first-hand account from the frontline in Mosul.
AUIS professor Choman Hardi drew attention to the different effects war has on men and women, thereby either reinforcing or challenging traditional gender roles.
Through seven panels and various conversations, the speakers presented effective solutions for post-ISIS Iraq and the Kurdish region. The conference was widely attended on both days.
The conference was attended by a diverse audience. During the breaks and after the panels, the audience used the time to comment and exchange ideas on the topics presented in the panels.
