President Bafel Will Further Advance Kurdish Cause in the SDAAW

News 11:50 AM - 2025-08-31

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani.

The four-day conference of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World (SDAAW) was held in Sulaymaniyah from 27 to 30 August 2025, during which Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), was elected as the President of the SDAAW.

Political observers see his election as an important step that will elevate the Kurdish cause at both the Arab and international levels.

Cengiz Çandar Commends PUK’s International Influence at SDAAW

Cengiz Çandar, Turkish Parliament lawmaker from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), spoke to PUKMEDIA on the final day of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World (SDAAW), held in Sulaymaniyah.

He highlighted the international reach of the event, noting: “The PUK is hosting a conference with participants from the Philippines to Chile, from Brazil to all parts the Arab world.

“It is a very well-organised conference. It is evidence and proof that the PUK is an important and an efficient international political active,” he added.

The PUK Has Experience with the Social Democrats

Chargé d’affairs of Iraqi Embassy in the Philippines Hazim Yousifi told PUKMEDIA: “Now is the time of democracy and the world is moving towards it. We must keep up with this wave and not fall behind. Social democracy is not new to the PUK. We were members before. President Mam Jalal was Vice President of the Socialist International and later became its Honourary President.”

On the significance of holding the conference, he added: “What has taken place in Sulaymaniyah is important for the PUK, for the Kurds, and for Iraq. It is also a valuable achievement for all who organised it. The participants attended with great amazement.”

President Bafel to Serve as SDAAW President for Three Years

On 30 August 2025, the former SDAAW president officially handed over the post to PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani, who will now serve a three-year term.

The PUK Has an Important Role in the Region

Pola Talabani, member of the PUK Leadership, told PUKMEDIA: “The conference, held in Sulaymaniyah at such a sensitive time, allowed representatives from across the Arab world to exchange views on pressing issues. It shows that the PUK plays an important role not only in Kurdistan and Iraq, but across the region.”

He added: “The exchange of ideas here gives the political elite of the PUK — and even the broader public — more clarity and confidence in defending the rights of the Kurdish people. The parties represented are influential in their countries, with strong public bases, and many hold seats in government and parliament. Their presence has real weight at both public and governmental levels.”

Sulaymaniyah Embraces Peace and Coexistence

The SDAAW Conference also demonstrated that Kurds stand for peace and coexistence despite the challenges they face.

Wasta Rasul, member of the PUK Leadership Council and commander of the reserve forces, said: “This conference showed that Sulaymaniyah embraces peace and coexistence. By extending our hands to our partners in social democracy, we highlight that growth in the Arab world has been limited — but together it can expand.”

The Election of President Bafel Means the Strength of the PUK

Wasta Rasul added: “The election of President Bafel reflects the strength of the PUK within the SDAAW. Since 1992, the PUK has worked with this concept and has long-standing experience. It is from this foundation that the PUK President was elected to lead the alliance.”

Women Have a Position within the PUK

On women’s role, Wasta Rasul stated: “Women hold an important place in the PUK. The appointment of Firyal Abdullah as President of the Women’s Union (Shihana) in the SDAAW demonstrates that the PUK values women’s leadership and insists on giving them greater space.”

Holding the Conference Will Increase Coordination

Dr. Biryar Rashid, PUK MP in the Iraqi Parliament, told PUKMEDIA: “The conference will have an impact beyond Sulaymaniyah and Kurdistan — it will affect all of Iraq. It reflects the PUK’s commitment to strengthening international relations, deepening democracy, and increasing coordination with Arab countries.”

The Opinion of Arab Countries Is Changing

Hiwa Rash, head of the PUK’s Chamchamal Organisation Centre, told PUKMEDIA: “What makes this conference unique is that Arab countries will now better understand the Kurdish issue. Misunderstandings will be eliminated.”

“For years, our vision for Kurdish rights has been misrepresented as separatism. But here, they see that we have a programme for peace above all else. This will allow the PUK to serve the Kurdish cause more effectively in the Arab world and beyond,” he noted.

The SDAAW Conference, hosted by the PUK in Sulayamniayh, commenced on 27 August 2025 and lasted four days. It addressed key issues such as peace, security, and the major political challenges facing the Arab world. The gathering brought together political leaders, intellectuals, and public figures from across the Arab world, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region.

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani was elected as President of the SDAAW at the event. In his speech, he declared: “The spirit of Mam Jalal and his comrades is the same spirit that guides us today. It is what we must look to for direction.”

He added: “This is the time for action, because the PUK is not simply a political party — it is a promise of service, born of sacrifice, rooted in the ideals of freedom and justice, and today renewed with a spirit of reform and unity.”



PUKMEDIA