Historic Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World Conference in Sulaymaniyah

Kurdistan 11:06 AM - 2025-08-30

Final day of SDAAW Conference Continues in Sulaymaniyah.

The four-day Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World (SDAAW) Conference, held from 27 to 30 August 2025, concluded in Sulaymaniyah, reaffirming the city’s status as a hub of political dialogue, progressive thought, and regional diplomacy. Organised in cooperation with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the conference brought together a broad spectrum of political leaders, intellectuals, and public figures from across the Arab world, Iraq, Kurdistan, and international partners.

Day One: Women at the Forefront of Change

The opening day, Wednesday, 27 August, was devoted to women’s affairs, featuring a series of seminars with prominent female leaders, politicians, and representatives from Arab and international parties. Key speakers included First Lady Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, PUK Leadership Council member Firyal Abdullah, former Women’s Council head Pakhshan Zangana, and representatives from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Malaysia, and beyond.

President of the PUK, Bafel Jalal Talabani, addressed the conference via a speech delivered by Karwan Gazneyi, the PUK spokesperson. President Talabani highlighted the historical resilience of Kurdish women, emphasising their essential role in families, politics, education, and civil society. “A community that silences women or ignores their sacrifices cannot move forward,” he stated, reaffirming the PUK’s commitment to defending women’s rights and ensuring equality and opportunity.

First Lady Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed called for women’s unity to confront war and conflict, underscoring the humanitarian crises that follow warfare. She stressed that women must raise their voices against global atrocities, citing the ongoing suffering in Gaza and historical tragedies like Halabja. Her address framed women as central actors in both national and international efforts toward peace, justice, and social progress.

Day Two: Democracy, Cooperation, and Regional Solidarity

The second day, Thursday, 28 August, welcomed prominent Kurdish, Arab, and international political figures. Darbaz Kosrat Rasul Ali, a PUK Political Bureau member, opened the day by praising Sulaymaniyah as a “pioneering city” and highlighting the PUK’s commitment to democracy, dialogue, and civil rights.

Farid Zahran, leader of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, called for unity among progressive parties to oppose hegemony, racism, and humanitarian crises, particularly the situation in Gaza. Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid acknowledged the PUK’s longstanding contributions to socialism and democratic ideals, recalling the legacy of the late PUK leader Mam Jalal and urging collective action to address pressing issues such as water scarcity and regional instability.

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani emphasised strengthening collaboration between socialist democratic parties, noting the critical need for dialogue and practical cooperation in the face of regional conflicts. Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani reflected on the Kurdish role in promoting democracy, peace, and constitutional governance, stressing that dialogue and legal processes are key to resolving ongoing challenges between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi federal government.

Day Three: Addressing Peace, Security, and Arab World Challenges

The third day, Friday, 29 August, continued discussions on peace, security, and the pressing challenges facing the Arab world. Leading figures such as Dr Jwan Ihsan, PUK Political Bureau member and former Iraqi MP, and Mr Rebwar Taha, Governor of Kirkuk, contributed to sessions focused on regional stability, democratic governance, and socio-economic development. The day built upon earlier discussions on women’s empowerment and political cooperation, while emphasising the importance of coordinated, progressive action across Arab nations and the Kurdistan Region.

Day Four: Founding of the Women’s Union (Shihana) and Historic Election of Bafel Talabani

The final day, Saturday, 30 August, featured the closing session, workshops, and the presentation of the Coordination Committee’s report. A landmark announcement was the founding of the Social Democratic Socialist Women’s Union, “Shihana” – symbolising strength, liberty, and high aspirations. Firyal Abdullah, PUK Leadership Council member, was appointed President of the newly formed union, tasked with promoting women’s political participation and social empowerment across the Arab world.

On the other hand, President Bafel Jalal Talabani was elected as President of the SDAAW, marking a historic milestone for the Kurdish people and the PUK. In his closing address, he emphasised practical action over rhetoric, urging progressive parties to coordinate on youth empowerment, equality, economic justice, and regional cooperation. He reaffirmed the Alliance’s commitment to peace, democracy, and human rights, while highlighting ongoing concerns in Gaza, Syria, and the broader Middle East.

Darbaz Kosrat Rasul Ali, in his closing remarks, called for solidarity and action among progressive forces, praising the exchange of ideas and the cooperative spirit fostered throughout the conference. Karwan Gazneyi, PUK spokesperson, described the event as a reaffirmation of Sulaymaniyah’s role as a diplomatic centre and hailed President Talabani’s election as a pivotal achievement for social democratic movements in the Middle East and North Africa.

A New Chapter for Social Democracy in the Arab World

Over four days, the SDAAW Conference underscored the importance of cooperation, dialogue, and practical action among social democratic parties in addressing regional challenges. From women’s empowerment to political reform, peacebuilding, and international solidarity, the conference demonstrated the PUK’s leadership in advancing democratic principles and fostering unity across diverse political and cultural landscapes. The creation of the Shihana Union and the election of Bafel Jalal Talabani as SDAAW President signal a renewed commitment to tangible change and progressive governance in the Arab world.

Sulaymaniyah, with its rich history of resistance, culture, and progressive activism, served as a fitting host for this historic gathering, leaving a legacy of inspiration and a roadmap for the region’s social democratic future.



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