Slemani Summit 2026 Focuses on Sustainable Development

Reports 12:39 PM - 2026-09-19

Iraq and Kurdistan Region's leaders at Slemani Summit 2026.

The Slemani Summit 2026, organised by the Vision Foundation, took place on 17-18 September 2026 at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Sulaymaniyah under the theme, “Directing Capital Towards Sustainable Growth in Real Estate and Industry.”

The summit, held in Sulaymaniyah for the first time, was attended by Iraqi President Nizar Amedi, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, alongside government ministers, heads of investment boards, parliamentary committee chairs, banking executives, business leaders, and local and international experts.
 
Hosted with media support from Kurdsat Broadcasting Corporation, the two-day summit featureed a series of strategic panel discussions. The discussions focused on developing local production, strengthening competitiveness, connecting the banking sector with the housing and industrial sectors, and exploring the future of housing projects, green infrastructure and sustainable development.

Slemani  Summit Brings Experts Together to Discuss Economic and Industrial Development

The two-day Slemani Summit 2026 brought together government officials, business leaders, financial experts and specialists to discuss key challenges and opportunities in the real estate, banking and industrial sectors.

The summit featured seven panel discussions covering investment, financial services, domestic production, housing and sustainable development.

First Day

Panel 1: Strategic Vision for the Real Estate, Banking and Industrial Sectors

The opening panel examined strategic approaches to developing the real estate, banking and industrial sectors, with participation from KRG Minister of Housing and Reconstruction Dana Abdulkarim, Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals Mohammed Nouri, Chairman of Iraq’s National Investment Commission Adil Dakhil Mohammed Al-Yasiri, and Chairman of the Kurdistan Board of Investment Dr Mohammed Shukri. The panel was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr Bayad Jamal Merayi.

Panel 2: The Real Estate Market In The Region: Between Rapid Growth And Financial Risks

The second panel focused on the rapid expansion of the regional real estate market, associated financial risks and mechanisms for securing sustainable financing. Participants included Amanj Jalal, General Director of Investment in Slemani; Mustafa Haji Khairullah, owner of Haji Salam Company; Rabar Talaat of the Sbey Research Centre; and Dr Peshawa Omar of Gardeen Group. The session was moderated by Aland Mahwi.

Panel 3: From A Cash Economy To Financial Inclusion And Digital Payments

This panel examined the transition from a cash-based economy towards greater financial inclusion and digital payments, with a focus on the role banks can play in driving economic development.

Participants included Wadeea Al-Handhal, President of the Iraqi Private Banks League; Ammar Mirza, Executive Chair of the AmmarM Group of Companies; Dr Hawre Kamal, Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Finance and Economy and representative of Nishtiman Bank; Rami Al-Khafash of the National Bank of Iraq; and Savo Bakhtyar, Strategy and Partnerships Manager at AsiaPay. The panel was moderated by Dr Harem Ahmed.

Panel 4: Land, Real Estate Mortgages And Loans

The fourth panel discussed land, real estate mortgages and lending mechanisms, focusing on how investment projects can secure bank financing.

Speakers included Dr Saad Abdul-Qahar Al-Sheikh, Managing Director of the International Centre for Finance and Trade; Salah Al-Hadmi, Deputy Managing Director of Bank of Baghdad; May Esmail, representative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); and Handren Ali Baram, Chief Operating and Development Officer at Hiwa Rauf Company. The panel was moderated by Banaz Star.

Second Day

Panel 1: Strategy For Advancing Domestic Production And Competitiveness

The first panel of the second day focused on strengthening domestic production and improving competitiveness. Participants included Ali Osman, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of the Kurdistan Regional Government; Nawzad Rabati, President of the Slemani Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Adel Akab, President of the Iraqi Federation of Industries; and a representative of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The session was moderated by Dr Yadgar Abbas.

Panel 2: Connecting Banks, Real Estate And Industry For Sustainable Development

The second panel examined ways to strengthen links between the banking, real estate and industrial sectors to support sustainable economic development.

Participants included Aram Baban, representative of Slemani factories at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; David Müller, Senior Adviser at OJCOS-Stiftung; and Dr Bernd Villhauer, Senior Adviser at the Global Ethic Institute (Weltethos-Institut). The panel was moderated by Dr Didar Abdulkarim.

Panel 3: The Future Of Housing Projects And Sustainable Cities

The final panel explored the future of housing projects, including the transition from conventional residential communities towards green and sustainable cities and infrastructure.

Participants included Dr Halo Askari, Adviser to the President of Iraq for Environmental Affairs; Dr Noor Jasim, representative of the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH); Dr Musa Mohammed Tawfiq, financial and real estate consultant and researcher; and Khalid Sulaiman, writer and environmental expert at Faruk Group. The panel was moderated by Lanja Karim.

President Amedi Urges Joint Efforts to Strengthen Iraq’s Economic Stability

During the summit, the President of the Republic welcomed participants and said the conference was important in helping officials and specialists make the decisions needed to advance Iraq’s economy.

He stressed the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as relevant organisations, in shaping fiscal and economic policies and strengthening financial and economic stability. Given the circumstances facing Iraq and the wider region, he said joint efforts were essential to mitigating the impact of regional tensions.

President Amedi reaffirmed his support for legislation that would enable the private sector to play a greater role in implementing strategic projects. He also stressed the need to integrate the roles of the state and private sector, diversify economic activity and turn national resources and potential into productive projects.

He said these efforts would contribute to building a more diversified economy, improving public services and creating employment opportunities, particularly for young people.

The President further stressed that political and security stability could not be fully achieved without sustainable economic and social stability. He acknowledged the impact of escalating regional tensions on Iraq and underlined the importance of protecting national policies and shielding the country from the repercussions of regional conflicts.

Nechirvan Barzani Calls for Constitutional Implementation

Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, subsequently addressed the summit, describing it as an important platform for discussing the economic future of both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

He highlighted the private sector’s important role in developing the Kurdistan Region, stressing the need to create a favourable environment for investment and private-sector activity.

“It is time for us to move from a consumer economy to a productive one in the tourism, agricultural and industrial sectors,” Barzani said.

He added that the Kurdistan Region and Iraq were complementary, stressing that the strength of Iraq was linked to the strength of the Kurdistan Region and vice versa.

Barzani also stressed that political disputes should not obstruct investment and reconstruction.

“Political disputes must not hinder the process of investment and reconstruction,” he said, adding that the Kurdistan Region sought cooperation with Iraq and welcomed projects by companies from the Region in other parts of the country. He noted, however, that such efforts required support from the federal government.

The Kurdistan Region President also emphasised the importance of political and social stability in sustaining investment, saying stability required effective legislation and a shared commitment to the Constitution.

More than two decades after the ratification of Iraq’s Constitution, Barzani questioned whether its provisions had been implemented as agreed, arguing that a number of its articles and clauses had yet to be fully implemented.

He described the Constitution as the protector and guarantor of the rights of all Iraqis.

“When we call for the implementation of the Constitution, we are not seeking anything for ourselves at the expense of other components,” Barzani said. “Rather, we want to implement the terms of this social contract ratified by the people.”

He stressed that the Constitution protects the rights of all Iraqis and said the goal should be a strong and unified Iraq rather than a weak or fragmented state.

“We want a strong Iraq where we all turn to the Constitution—a country where all components live in peace and security, with their legal and constitutional rights upheld,” he said.

Barzani further stressed the need to resolve outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government through the Constitution, mutual understanding and dialogue.

Regarding the Kurdistan Region’s internal affairs, he said efforts should also focus on resolving disputes among political parties, noting that citizens want their problems addressed and political stability strengthened across the Region.

Qubad Talabani Stresses Role of Private Sector in Economic Development

Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, expressed his pleasure at the hosting of the summit in Sulaymaniyah.

He said the summit was important for supporting and developing the private sector, both across Iraq and within the Kurdistan Region. He highlighted Sulaymaniyah’s significant progress in agriculture, industry and tourism, describing the city as a centre of art, culture and literature and the cultural capital of the Kurdistan Region.

Talabani welcomed the continued growth of culture, literature and the arts alongside the city’s economic development. He also highlighted Sulaymaniyah’s advances in technology, saying the city had established itself as an important hub for innovation and development.

He stressed that economic and financial challenges could not be addressed by the government alone, but required collective efforts and cooperation among all stakeholders. He said the summit therefore provided an important opportunity to strengthen partnership and cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Slemani Summit Concludes With Five Key Economic Recommendations

Following the conclusion of the two-day Slemani Summit 2026, Adnan Osman, President of the Vision Foundation and the Slemani Summit, presented five recommendations aimed at supporting economic development and investment.

The recommendations are:

- Developing and Reforming the Electronic Payment System.
- Supporting Domestic Industry and Production by enhancing competitiveness.
- Establishing a Long-Term Mortgage Lending System.
- Updating Investment Laws in line with the actual needs of the market.
- Establishing a High-Level Fatwa Committee, similar to those in other Muslim countries, to facilitate the provision of Islamic financing.



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