ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A high-profile international conference commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea opened in Erbil on Saturday, under the patronage of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The event, attended by a large gathering of senior religious leaders, scholars, and academics, was inaugurated by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

In his keynote address, Prime Minister Barzani extended a warm welcome to delegates, describing Erbil as "the capital of peaceful coexistence." He expressed his hope that the conference would yield constructive recommendations to strengthen a global culture of peace and human brotherhood.

"The peaceful coexistence we enjoy is the essence of Kurdistan's societal identity and a deeply rooted civilizational legacy," Barzani stated. He emphasized the government's commitment to preserving this culture and called on religious leaders worldwide to promote values of love, harmony, and social peace.

The Prime Minister outlined his government's reform agenda, which prioritizes religious freedom and unity. He pointed to concrete support for ethnic and cultural diversity, including the government's backing of the Syriac language.

"There are 50 specialized schools teaching in Syriac, the language spoken by Jesus Christ, and we continuously support related cultural seminars," Barzani said.

He also announced the imminent opening of four new churches and recalled the "National Prayer Day" initiative held in April, calling it a "message of peace from Kurdistan to the world."

In a significant aside, the Prime Minister linked the region's stability to its economic prospects, announcing the resumption of Kurdistan's oil exports to global markets earlier the same day, following a years-long hiatus.

"This agreement is an achievement for all of Iraq, and especially for the people of Kurdistan," Barzani stated. He thanked all parties involved, singling out the United States for its supportive role in Washington, and through its diplomats in Baghdad and Erbil.

Barzani pledged that revenues from the oil deal would be directed toward serving citizens and developing infrastructure.

Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the region's commitment to its core values. "The Kurdistan Region will always remain, as it is known, an oasis of harmony and a radiant center for peaceful coexistence and acceptance of the other," he said.