ERBIL, KURDISTAN REGION – In a powerful and inspirational address at the TEDxNishtiman event on Monday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani outlined his government's significant achievements and called on the youth to take pride in their role as the architects of the Region's future.

The event, held in Erbil and attended by a large number of young people and activists, served as a platform for the Prime Minister to detail a series of successful KRG projects and to frame them as direct results of the population's resilience and self-belief.

Prime Minister Barzani began by commending the event's young organizers, stating they give him "hope for the future of our country." His central message to the youth was clear: "Love your country more than anything else" and "have confidence in yourselves."

He drew parallels to developed nations, asserting that their progress was driven by their own citizens. "We are in no way less than these countries," Barzani declared, pushing back against what he described as external forces that have tried to make the people of Kurdistan "hopeless."

The Prime Minister's speech served as a comprehensive report card on his government's performance, highlighting successes across multiple sectors:

Economic Diversification & Agriculture: Barzani emphasized a strategic shift away from sole reliance on oil and gas. "We worked to bring our farmers back to their lands," he said, announcing that for the first time, domestic products from the Kurdistan Region are now being exported internationally, a feat he described as a "source of pride."

Water Infrastructure: Addressing a critical challenge, the Prime Minister detailed the success of a major project to supply water to Erbil from the Great Zab River. He noted that local engineers completed the project's first phase in just 12 months, calling it "the largest project on the level of Iraq." He pledged to extend such solutions to other areas like Chamchamal and Akre to solve water shortages.

Roads and Highways: Barzani pointed to the construction of modern, international-standard roads and highways as a key achievement aimed at improving connectivity and safety for citizens.

Financial Sector Development: The Prime Minister discussed efforts to modernize the banking sector to international standards, facilitating loans for citizens and businesses to spur economic growth and attract investment.

Digital Transformation: The ongoing digitalization of government services was highlighted as a critical step forward, reliant on the expertise of the Region's tech-savvy youth.

In a standout moment, Barzani singled out the "Rounak" project for providing 24-hour electricity. He presented a striking comparison: "The federal government of Iraq has allocated more than 200 billion dollars to provide 24-hour electricity, but until now they have not been able to do this work."

In contrast, he announced that major cities in the Kurdistan Region now have 24-hour power, with Halabja being the first governorate in all of Iraq to achieve this feat entirely. He set a bold target: "By the end of 2026, all of Kurdistan... will have 24-hour electricity."

The Prime Minister did not shy away from acknowledging past obstacles, including "budget cuts," "political problems," and "security issues." However, he credited the people's "patience" and "perseverance" for allowing the Region to overcome these challenges.

He consistently attributed the government's successes to the hard work of the nation's youth. "These achievements that you see today are the product of the struggle and hard work of those dear youth," Barzani stated, reinforcing that the progress is not merely a promise but a tangible reality built on collective effort and self-belief.

The speech concluded with a forward-looking message of confidence, urging the youth to continue building a "more stable Kurdistan, for a more advanced Kurdistan."