Erbil... Erbil Governor, Swedish Migration Agency Delegation Discuss New Migrant Issues

This evening, Saturday, September 13, 2025, Omed Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil, accompanied by Naz Jalal, Director of Migration, Displaced Persons, and Crisis Response for Erbil Governorate, welcomed Kjell Terje, Project Manager in Iraq, along with his accompanying delegation from the Swedish Migration Agency.
 

The Governor of Erbil, while welcoming the Swedish delegation, expressed his hope that they would be happy and comfortable during their stay in Erbil. He also pointed out the pioneering role of Sweden, which has extensive and rich experience in migration issues, and that at one time, a large number of Kurdish citizens chose that country as a refuge. Therefore, Sweden's visible footprint in sheltering and receiving migrants and their humane treatment of this issue is commendable.
The Governor of Erbil expressed support for their future plans and programs, stating that they would be part of the success of their work in the Kurdistan Region in general, and Erbil in particular.
 

The Governor of Erbil also clarified that in the local government of Erbil, they have organized their work into two programs: First, in the national return program, Erbil was the first city at the level of the region and Iraq in general to start this process. Even the (IOM) opened their office within the governorate, so now their roadmap is very clear.


Second, the support of the European Union Migration Information Center, which is one of the programs they have worked on in the media, has served the same process.
The Governor of Erbil suggested that they open a similar office in Erbil to succeed in their work, and as Erbil Governorate, they would support them in the success of their programs...

For their part, Kjell Terje, Project Manager in Iraq for the Swedish Migration Agency, thanked the Governor of Erbil for receiving them on his day off. They also clarified that their current work strategy, due to changes in Swedish migration law, focuses more on training and development and supports these issues.
For this purpose, they are currently training a team of Swedish experts to begin practical work in countries around the world. He also said that it is important for them that not only the Swedish delegation visits the Kurdistan Region, but also that teams from the Kurdistan Region visit Sweden.
 

The delegation reiterated their support for the general clarifications of the Governor of Erbil and promised to be in continuous contact with the Directorate of Migration, Displaced Persons, and Crisis Response for Erbil Governorate, and together they will strengthen their understanding of this sensitive issue.