From Mosul to Gaza to Ukraine, conflicts in recent years have inflicted vast destruction on urban areas and resulted in humanitarian crises, with severe political and practical obstacles hampering the delivery of aid, medicines, and food. Post-war reconstruction has been similarly hampered by political and financial obstacles. What do these complex realities say about the role of international assistance in conflict mitigation, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction? Are different paradigms needed?

Speakers

• H.E. Thomas Seiler, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Iraq, Delegation of the European Union to Iraq
• Lahib Higel, Senior Analyst for Iraq, International Crisis Group
• Ghulam Mohammad Isaczai, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, UNAMI
• Tanya Gilly Khailany, Co-Founder & Vice President, SEED Foundation
• Haid Haid, Consulting Fellow, Chatham House

Moderator

• Gemma Bowsher, Co-Lead for Global Health Security at the Centre for Conflicts and Health Research, King’s College London

Five years after mass protests that sought to upend the Iraqi political system, major questions remain about the structure of the Iraqi state and the space for genuine democracy. While elections continue to transpire, opposition parties and human rights groups alike continue to report limitations on democratic principles and freedom of expression. Moreover, there is growing uncertainty over the viability of the federal model. What can Iraqis expect of the political system in the years to come?

Speakers

• Zaid Al-Ali, Senior Programme Manager, International IDEA
• Nooralhuda Saad, Head, SASA Organization
• Mohammed Rauf, Editor-in-chief, Draw Media
• Mohammed Elwia, Director, Ishtar Center for Democracy Support

Moderator

• Zmkan Ali Saleem, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Regional & International Studies (IRIS), American University of Iraq, Sulaimani

In recent years the return of “Great Power Competition” has become a buzzword in diplomatic circles, with analysts warning of the destabilizing impact of US-China competition on the MENA region. Yet Iraq has attempted to maintain constructive relations across these divides. Will heightened polarization make this balanced stance increasingly hard to maintain in years to come, or will Iraq find a way to maintain balance?

Speakers

• Wang Guangda, Executive Director of the China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development, Shanghai International Studies University
• Elena Suponina, Advisor, Russian International Affairs Council
• Thanassis Cambanis, Director, Century International
• Lina Khatib, Director of the SOAS Middle East Institute, SOAS University of London
• Ali Taher Alhammood, Managing Director, Al-Bayan Center for Planning and Studies

Moderator

• Joost Hiltermann ,MENA Program Director, International Crisis Group

• Yousif Muayad, Director General of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment
• Shayan Kamil, Ambassador, Youth for Accountability in Environmental Governance (YAEG) Program
• Manar Al-Zubaidi, Environmental Journalist
• Karwan Sabah Hama-Salih, Director General of Water Resource at the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Kurdistan Regional Government

Chair

• Adnan Jaafer, Senior Manager of Training & Capacity Building, Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq,

Chair

• Gemma Bowsher, Co-Lead for Global Health Security at the Centre for Conflicts and Health Research, King’s College London

• Lahib Higel, Senior Analyst, International Crisis Group (ICG)
• Sa'eed Al-Jayyash, Strategic Affairs Advisor, National Security Advisory
• Haid Haid, Consulting Fellow, Chatham House
• Zmkan A. Salim, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS)

Chair

• Hayder Al-Shakeri, Research Fellow, Chatham House