Erbil – June 27, 2026

Peace and Freedom Organization in Erbil Governorate held a comprehensive workshop that brought together members of the Peace Committee and the Natural Resources Management Committee in Kirkuk Governorate. This initiative aimed to unify efforts and enhance joint work between the two committees within a more effective and sustainable institutional framework.

The workshop featured in-depth discussions among committee members, addressing the current state of their work, shared challenges, and prospects for developing cooperation to contribute to strengthening peacebuilding efforts and the sound management of natural resources in Kirkuk Governorate.

The workshop resulted in a unanimous agreement to establish the “Roots of Peace Team,” which will serve as the official umbrella organization and unifying entity through which both the Peace Committee and the Natural Resources Management Committee will operate. This will enhance coordination, unify visions, and improve the efficiency of implementing future initiatives and activities. The workshop also resulted in the preparation of the first draft of the internal regulations for the "Roots of Peace" team, which represents the organizational foundation for the team's work and management mechanisms. This draft will be reviewed and finalized in the next phase.

At the conclusion of the workshop, the team's general assembly elected a new board of directors. The board's composition reflects the rich diversity of Kirkuk Governorate, ensuring representation of the various components of society and embodying the principles of partnership and pluralism upon which the team is founded.

The general assembly authorized the elected board to proceed with completing all the necessary organizational and administrative requirements for the official launch of the team. It set the first week of July 2026 as the deadline for completing the remaining tasks, most importantly the finalization and ratification of the internal regulations, the approval of the team's visual identity and logo, and the completion of other organizational procedures.

This step comes within the framework of Peace and Freedom Organization's efforts to promote participatory work, build local platforms more capable of leading community initiatives, and establish a culture of dialogue and cooperation, thereby contributing to supporting stability and sustainable development in Kirkuk Governorate.