Highlights of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World Conference in Sulaymaniyah

From August 27–30, member parties, associate organizations, and guests of the Progressive Alliance convened in Sulaymaniyah for a four-day program organized with the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World and hosted by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. The meetings comprised the Arab Conference of Women, the Kurdish–Arab Political Dialogue, and the Arab Social Democratic Alliance Conference.

The gathering brought together participants from across the region to analyze situation in the Middle East, deepen understanding among political actors and their struggles, and exchange on a shared agenda rooted in justice, solidarity, and peace.

Throughout the conference, panel discussions and working sessions surveyed common challenges and practical pathways forward, including strengthening women’s leadership and participation; ensuring rights and representation in transition contexts; building national, regional, and international alliances for democracy and human rights; respecting diversity as a pillar of unified democratic states; developments in the Palestinian cause and their regional impacts; and prospects for renewing social democracy in the region.

During the week, participants:

• Opened with a dedicated women’s conference, sharing experiences, identifying barriers to participation, and discussing avenues for legal and institutional reform. The program featured sessions on Women in Democratic Transition and Resistance and Feminism in the Arab World & Building Political Alliances for Change.
• Held a full day of Kurdish–Arab dialogue, affirming coexistence, equal citizenship, and inclusive governance. High-level addresses underscored a clear public demand for reforms, opportunity, and justice—signaling necessity for societal and cross-sectoral dialogue over division.
• Worked in parallel workshops that synthesized input into a shared outlook for the future:
  • Political priorities;
  • Organization & cooperation beyond the Arab world;
  • A shared vision of Arab peace & security.
• Concluded with renewed leadership and a roadmap for the future, closing the Arab Social Democratic Alliance Conference with commitments to joint action on areas of dialogue, effective engagement for the cause in Palestine and Syria, next generation capacity building, and linking with progressive and democratic forces across the world for common agenda based on social democracy. Leadership transitioned from Farid Zahran of Egyptian Social Democratic Party to Bafel Jalal Talabani of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, elected President of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World.

Thank you, Sulaymaniyah and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Together, we carry this work forward— advancing a common vision for peace and justice.