Day Two: Social Democratic Alliance Conference Begins in Sulaymaniyah with PUK President in Attendance

Kurdistan 10:56 AM - 2025-08-28

From right: Iraqi First Lady, President, PUK President & KRG VP at Sulaymaniyah Conference.

The Conference of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World commenced today, Thursday, in the city of Sulaymaniyah, with the participation of prominent Kurdish, Arab, and international political figures.

Darbaz Kosrat: PUK Continues Path of Mam Jalal in Defending Democracy

Opening the conference, Darbaz Kosrat Rasul Ali, a member of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), delivered a welcoming address. He stated: "On behalf of the PUK, we welcome all guests from political parties and movements. Your presence here reflects our shared commitment to the democratic struggle. Today, Sulaymaniyah hosts an important event that serves this struggle, reinforcing the city’s role as a bastion of civil resistance."

He continued: "This demonstrates that Sulaymaniyah is a pioneering city, and that the PUK’s mission is to consolidate democracy and freedom for all the people of Iraq. History has shown that the PUK has been, and remains, at the forefront of civil and democratic struggles. Since its founding, it has championed freedom, democracy, and the right to self-determination. We are striving to establish good governance in the Kurdistan Region. Following the path of President Mam Jalal, the PUK, as a social democratic party, places emphasis on peace and dialogue, and supports all initiatives aimed at consolidating global peace. We must work collectively to confront the challenges we face."

He added: "This is a golden opportunity for progressive parties to act together, hand in hand, to strengthen democracy and ensure that this conference becomes a driving force in expanding our democratic struggle. The future is secure, and we can build a better tomorrow for generations to come."

Egyptian Social Democratic Leader Calls for Unity

Following this, Farid Zahran, leader of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, delivered his remarks, stating: "We thank the PUK for its warm hospitality and excellent organisation. We must strive for a shared vision of democracy across the world."

He emphasised: "We must stand firmly against hegemony and racism, as well as the tragedies unfolding in Gaza. Progressive parties have always maintained clear and principled positions in rejecting historic crimes, from the Holocaust to the Anfal operations against the Kurds. We must now adopt the same moral clarity regarding Gaza — against starvation, siege, and massacres. We must take a clear humanitarian stance."

Zahran went on to stress the need for a vision of development in the region, calling for greater unity and solidarity to confront current challenges.

Iraqi President Highlights Legacy of Mam Jalal and Global Democratic Struggle

For his part, the President of the Republic of Iraq addressed the conference, saying: "I welcome you to Sulaymaniyah, a city rich in history and culture, and to the Conference of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World. We have consistently worked to strengthen international socialism and to support the work of this conference, and I wish it every success."

He recalled the role of the PUK, noting: "The PUK has long stood at the forefront of socialist movements. The late President Mam Jalal, as Vice-President of the Socialist International, played a pivotal role in strengthening global socialism, bringing the Kurdish cause to the world’s attention, and leaving us with a powerful legacy that we will continue in our pursuit of democracy and justice."

He also remarked on global challenges: "As the world faces pressing issues such as water scarcity, we must act together to address these problems and move towards a better future."

He further invited guests to visit Halabja, the city devastated by chemical attacks that claimed the lives of 5,000 innocent civilians. He added: "We must work to halt the violence in Gaza, deliver humanitarian aid, and establish a Palestinian state."

Concluding his address, he said: "Our goal of strengthening democracy is not an easy one. Yet, together with international socialist parties, we can achieve it."



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