London, UK (KRG.org) – The Governors of the three Kurdistan Region provinces on Monday spoke to MPs, Lords, journalists and the public in the British parliament.

The provincial leaders from Erbil, Suliemaniah and Duhok thanked the UK parliament and government for their support and said that while many challenges remain, the three governorates have made significant strides since the liberation of Iraq in 2003.

Their visit to the UK is part of an initiative set up by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani to build capacity in the regional government and empower local government leaders. The governors will be working with the National School of Government in the UK to devise a KRG-funded training programme for provincial and local civil servants.

Mr Nawzad Hadi, the Governor of Erbil, said, "We have made some improvements in providing services and strengthening civil society, but we still face problems. We hope to benefit more actively from the UK's experience of running local and regional authorities."

Mr Hadi, Mr Dana Ahmed Majeed the Governor of Suleimaniah, Mr Tamar Ramadan the Governor of Dohuk, and Dr Ali Sindi, Prime Minister Barzani’s Special Adviser, answered questions on the likely impact of the provincial and general elections in Iraq, the provinces' efforts to improve job opportunities, the private sector, women's rights, rural areas and many basic services.

Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the KRG's High Representative to the UK, said, “The British parliamentarians’ invitation to the governors enabled them to share their views on developments in Kurdistan and further deepen understanding of the reality on the ground in Iraq.”

Ms Meg Munn MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Kurdistan Region, hosted the meeting with Mr Dave Anderson MP. Baroness Ramsey, Lord Ahmed, trade union leaders, journalists and the public attended the meeting. The Governors also met Ms Ann Clwyd MP, Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Envoy to Iraq on Human Rights.

Read more about the Governors' meetings with NSG and the Foreign Office.