Erbil, Kurdistan - The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) is set to host the highly anticipated fourth Middle East Peace and Security (MEPS) Forum from November 19 to November 21. This annual gathering, established in 2019, serves as a crucial platform for candid discussions on pressing issues in the Middle East and North Africa, with this year's theme focusing on "Renewal, revision, and resilience: the future of the Middle East."

In an exclusive interview with Kurdistan 24, Halmat Kestai, the Manager of Institutional Marketing within the Office of Communications at AUK, highlighted the forum's commitment to facilitating open and constructive dialogue. The event has garnered partnerships with prestigious organizations such as the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Oxford University, Carnegie Corporation, Crisis Response Council, and the Middle East Institute.

Distinguished guests and influential decision-makers from Erbil, Baghdad, the broader Middle East, Europe, the United States, and China are set to convene. Notable attendees include former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. The forum will also host representatives from Iraq, guests from the Arab World and Turkey, and ambassadors from Western countries.

Guided by the theme "Renewal, revision, and resilience: the future of the Middle East," MEPS 23 aims to address historical conflicts in the region. Kestai emphasized the importance of the term "revision" in understanding past approaches and why previous efforts fell short, stating, "To achieve a peaceful Middle East, we must reconsider past approaches and understand why previous efforts fell short."

AUK’s Communications and Marketing division is spotlighting the motto "All Eyes on Duhok." Kestai commended Duhok's resilience during challenging times, noting that the city has become a global platform for addressing critical issues affecting Kurdistan, Iraq, the Middle East, and the world.

The MEPS Forum stands as a testament to Duhok's enduring spirit and the university's commitment to fostering international dialogue on regional and global challenges. As "Renewal, revision, and resilience" take center stage, the world awaits the outcomes of this significant gathering that promises to shape the future of the Middle East.