President Nechirvan Barzani at COP31: Strengthening the Economic Links Between the Gulf, Iraq and Turkey

A series of meetings with senior international leaders during COP31 in Antalya has placed Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani at the centre of discussions with implications beyond climate policy. His engagements with European, Turkish, Syrian and United Nations officials come as the Kurdistan Region seeks to expand its international economic relationships and attract investment into infrastructure, energy and industry. 

Invited by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to attend the Antalya Leaders’ Summit, President Nechirvan Barzani’s participation highlights the importance of the Kurdistan Region’s relationships with neighbouring countries and international partners. For Gulf investors, these connections are particularly relevant to a market increasingly linked to Iraq, Türkiye and wider regional trade routes. 

The economic foundations are substantial. According to the Kurdistan Region’s Board of Investment, more than 1,650 investment projects, representing approximately $80 billion in licensed capital, have been recorded since 2006. Foreign investment and joint ventures account for around $14 billion, with investors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Europe and the United States involved. Manufacturing, real estate, tourism, trade and agriculture are among the principal sectors. 

Water infrastructure also presents opportunities. The Gomaspan and Dwin dam projects have storage capacities of approximately 97.5 million and 100 million cubic metres respectively. These developments are intended to strengthen water security, support agriculture and improve the foundations for food production. For Gulf countries prioritising food security and agricultural technology, this creates potential areas for cooperation and investment. 

In discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Nechirvan Barzani addressed relations between the EU, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, alongside cooperation on climate change and environmental protection. Stronger European engagement could create opportunities in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and technical partnerships, potentially complementing Gulf investment. 

His meeting with Ibrahim Kalın, head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization, focused on relations between Ankara, Baghdad and Erbil, particularly security coordination and regional stability. These issues directly affect cross-border trade, energy infrastructure and transport. Türkiye remains one of the Kurdistan Region’s most important commercial partners. 

President Nechirvan Barzani also met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss relations between Syria, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, inviting him to visit Erbil and Baghdad. Improved cooperation could eventually support trade, transport and reconstruction as Syria considers its economic recovery. 

A meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed relations between Erbil and Baghdad and wider regional stability. Resolving outstanding disputes through dialogue remains important for investors seeking predictable operating conditions. 

For Gulf businesses, the Kurdistan Region offers opportunities extending beyond traditional energy investment. Its infrastructure requirements, geographical position and established international partnerships make it a market worth watching. President Nechirvan Barzani’s diplomatic engagement in Antalya reinforces the importance of regional cooperation in translating that potential into commercially viable projects.