Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani is set to meet with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday, his deputy chief of staff confirmed.

“Prime Minister @masrourbarzani will meet with Syrian Foreign Minister @Asaad_Shaibani later today on the margins of @wef,” Ahmad Aziz wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The high-profile meeting follows PM Barzani’s recent discussions with leaders from Jordan, the UAE, Turkey, and Bahrain. Further talks are planned with Qatari officials, as the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) aims to strengthen its international ties and foster cooperation in the region.

The talks with al-Shaibani are expected to focus on de-escalating tensions in the Middle East and exploring ways the KRG can contribute to fostering regional stability. A key agenda item is the rights of Syria’s Kurdish population, an issue gaining momentum amid ongoing efforts to achieve Kurdish unity in Syria.

Prime Minister Barzani has been active during the WEF, engaging with world leaders to enhance bilateral relations in trade and investment. His meeting with al-Shaibani is seen as a significant diplomatic step toward addressing the region’s complex political and security challenges.

The dialogue comes as political developments in Syria unfold. Earlier this month, Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), held a landmark meeting in Erbil to discuss key issues affecting Syria’s Kurdish population. The United States and other regional stakeholders welcomed the meeting as a promising development.

Observers view the discussions in Davos as part of a broader effort to promote Kurdish rights and strengthen regional partnerships, with potential implications for stability and cooperation across the Middle East.