The Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World (SDAAW) Conference entered its fourth and final day in Sulaymaniyah on Saturday. Throughout its sessions, the conference, which commenced on 27 August, has focused on critical issues including peace, security, and the pressing political challenges facing the Arab world. The gathering has brought together a broad spectrum of political leaders, intellectuals, and public figures from across the Arab world, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region.
On the final day of the conference, Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), was elected as President of the SDAAW.
In a speech delivered during the conference, Talabani stated: “I think we have all reached the stage where action will speak louder than any more words — and I suspect some of you are already thinking more about the journey home than another long address.”
He emphasised the historic significance of the gathering: “This gathering is historic: the first of our Alliance in this city, and the first since I was elected Co-President. For me, it carries both pride and responsibility.”
Reflecting on the city’s legacy, he said: “Sulaymaniyah has always been a centre of struggle, culture, and determination. It was from here that Mam Jalal and his comrades built the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan as the democratic movement — a movement rooted in sacrifice, discipline, and above all service to the people.”
He highlighted Sulaymaniyah’s diversity in politics, hinting at the city’s acceptance of free speech and opposition groups, stating: “It is not a coincidence that the majority of activists are based out in Sulaymaniyah. It is not a coincidence that the majority of opposition groups are based out in Sulaymaniyah.”
“That same spirit defines us today,” he added. “But we must also recognise the world we now live in. Our region remains unsettled by conflict and insecurity, while across the globe, competition between powers is reshaping alliances, new wars are testing international order, and economic pressures are deepening inequality. In such an environment, our Alliance cannot be a talking shop — it must be a platform for practical cooperation and joint action.”
“Because the PUK is not simply a political party — it is a promise of service, born from sacrifice, rooted in the ideals of freedom and justice, and today renewed with a spirit of reform and unity,” he continued.
Talabani also outlined the practical steps the Alliance will take to prove its strength through action:
– Coordinating closely between our parties on practical programmes.
– Developing shared strategies for youth empowerment, equality, and economic justice.
– Ensuring that politics is never hijacked by those who trade in weapons and intimidation instead of ideas and service.
– And extending cooperation internationally, so our voice is stronger together.
Talabani concluded: “The value of this gathering will not be measured by what was said here, but by what we deliver when we return home. Our peoples expect results, not rhetoric. On behalf of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, I once again thank you for your friendship, your solidarity, and your trust. Let us take the discipline of these four days and turn it into action, into results, and into progress for our peoples.”