On June 24, 2025, the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS), in collaboration with the Middle East Research Institute (MERI), hosted a roundtable discussion titled “A Roadmap Towards Economic Recovery in Erbil and the Kurdistan Region.” The event brought together experts from key institutions within the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), independent researchers and academics, as well as representatives from NGOs, the private sector, and labor syndicates.
The discussion focused on the region’s deepening financial challenges and the decline in public sector job opportunities, which have significantly impacted the labor market across Erbil and other provinces. Participants examined the current employment crisis and critically assessed the KRG’s existing policies and strategies aimed at addressing it.
A key theme throughout the roundtable was the need for the KRG to explore new approaches—particularly in partnership with the private sector—to stimulate job creation and sustainable economic growth. The dialogue also addressed growing youth frustration, the consequences of uneven investment, and the urgent need to build long-term economic resilience across the Kurdistan Region. This timely event provided a valuable platform to reflect on the economic challenges facing Erbil and the broader region, and to consider whether a new and viable path forward can be forged.
