A senior delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), led by Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, is visiting Paris to strengthen cooperation with UNESCO in education, science, and cultural heritage. The visit marks a new phase in the Kurdistan Region’s international engagement and commitment to preserving its cultural identity.
During the visit, the KRG delegation will oversee the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UNESCO and the Kar Group, one of Kurdistan’s leading oil and investment companies. The agreement aims to expand collaboration on cultural preservation and development projects across the region. This step reinforces the partnership between the public and private sectors in promoting heritage protection and sustainable progress.
Kar Group’s cooperation with UNESCO began in 2014, focusing on the restoration of the Erbil Citadel, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited sites. The company has invested over $3 million in restoration work, supported by the KRG, the United States, and the European Union. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani recently confirmed that 95 percent of the restoration is complete.
Covering 110,000 square meters and including 506 historical houses, the Erbil Citadel project aims to transform the site into a thriving cultural and tourism destination. The plan includes cultural cafés, hotels, and traditional craft shops that will celebrate Kurdish heritage while generating economic and tourism growth.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, the Erbil Citadel symbolizes the deep historical roots of the Kurdish people. The KRG views its preservation as both a national duty and an opportunity to promote the Kurdistan Region’s identity on the global stage.
The upcoming Paris meeting highlights the KRG’s growing diplomatic engagement in cultural and educational development. Through partnerships with international organizations like UNESCO, the Kurdistan Region continues to link heritage protection with sustainable economic and social progress.