Upon invitation of Rafidain Center for Dialogue (RCD), Kawa Hassan, Executive Director Stimson Europe, Director MENA Program and Senior Fellow, and Adnan Tabatabai, CEO of CARPO, participated at the RCD Forum 2021 that was held in Baghdad from Aug 29-31.
They met high-level Iraqi leaders including Ammar al-Hakeem, leader of the National Wisdom Movement (al-Hikma), Hadi al-Amiri, leader of al-Badr Organization and Fatah Alliance, Qasim al-Araji, National Security Advisor, and other stakeholders in Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, as well as European diplomats based in Baghdad.
At these meetings, Kawa Hassan and Adnan Tabatabai presented key takeaways and policy recommendations of the EU-funded project Iraq and Its Neighbours. They also exchanged views about the new regional role of Iraq as a host and mediator between regional rivals, and how the joint Iraq project of Stimson and CARPO can support Iraq as a center for regional dialogue and cooperation. The Iraqi leaders and stakeholders expressed their appreciation and support for the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership.Â
In addition, Kawa Hassan moderated one of the sessions of the RCD Forum 2021 entitled “Federalism and Decentralization in Iraq: Between Politics and Development”. The speakers at this session were Nasar al-Rubaeiy, Former Minister and Member of Parliament, Bengin Rekani, Former Minister of Reconstruction and Housing, and Asaad al-Eidani, Governor of Basra. Â
