2026 MERI Forum to Feature PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani

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PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani at a previous MERI Forum.

The annual forum of the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) will begin on Monday, 12 October 2026, bringing together political leaders, foreign ambassadors and local and international experts to discuss the region’s political and security future.

The first day of the forum will feature six key panels focusing on governance in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s evolving strategy in the region.

One of the main panels, scheduled for 11:20am, will feature Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and Sarhang Hama Saeed, an expert in dialogue and peacebuilding. The panel, entitled “Building a Stronger Kurdistan: Unity, Security and Regional Partnerships”, will address key issues affecting the Kurdistan Region.

The forum will continue on Tuesday, with Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani participating in a panel entitled “Kurdistan at a Turning Point: Security, Federalism and a New Political Pact”.

The MERI Forum is the institute’s flagship annual event, bringing together local, national and international policymakers, academics, opinion leaders, civil society activists, journalists and diplomats.

It provides a platform for discussing the most pressing challenges facing the region and developing practical solutions for decision-makers. The conference aims to promote peace, stability and prosperity in Iraq and the wider Middle East through constructive dialogue, inclusive participation and joint investment in the future.



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