PUK's Bafel Talabani named president of the SDAAW

SULAIMANI,— Bafel Jalal Talabani, leader of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, was elected president of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World (SDAAW) on Saturday at the close of the group’s annual meeting in Sulaimani city.

The four-day conference, which opened Wednesday, brought together representatives from 21 nations to discuss coordination among social democratic parties and strategies for political reform, human rights, and economic development.

Outgoing president Farid Zahran, who heads Egypt’s Social Democratic Party, confirmed Talabani’s appointment during the final session. Zahran said the Alliance would be “in capable and reliable hands” under the new leadership.

In his acceptance speech, Talabani said the gathering marked an important moment for the Alliance. “This meeting is historic,” he said.

“Sulaimani has long been a center of culture and struggle. It was here that Mam Jalal and his colleagues created the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan as a democratic movement — one built on sacrifice, discipline, and service to the people.”

Talabani told participants that the Alliance needed to focus on concrete measures rather than symbolic declarations. “The region remains unstable, with conflicts and insecurity shaping everyday life,” he said.

“Around the world, competition among powers is redrawing alliances, while new wars challenge international law and deepen economic inequalities.”

PUK’s Bafel Talabani named president of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World (SDAAW), Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan, August 30, 2025. Photo: Talabani’s Press Office/via iKurd.net

He added: “Our Alliance cannot be limited to speeches. It must act as a platform for practical cooperation. That means closer coordination among parties, a shared strategy for youth empowerment, equality, and economic justice.”

Talabani emphasized accountability. “The value of this meeting will not be measured by what is said here but by what happens when we return home,” he said. “Our peoples expect delivery, not words.”

He outlined a series of priorities for the Alliance, including policy coordination, initiatives for social justice, and expanded regional and international partnerships.

He also warned against the influence of armed groups on politics. “We cannot allow politics to be controlled by those who trade in weapons and threats instead of ideas and service,” he said.

Delegates attending the Sulaimani conference discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Arab and Kurdish social democratic organizations, develop democratic institutions, and promote human rights. Sessions covered topics such as gender equality, economic reform, and strategies for inclusive governance.

The event aimed to consolidate progressive networks across the region and improve coordination on common issues. Participants agreed that the Alliance must adapt to an environment of growing political and economic challenges.

Talabani, born in 1973, studied in the United Kingdom and underwent military training programs in France and the United States during the 1990s and early 2000s.

He began his political career as supervisor of the Secretariat Bureau of Mam Jalal, the late Iraqi president and founder of the PUK.

He joined the PUK Leadership Council in 2018 and later oversaw the creation of the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Group. He became president of the PUK in 2022 and was re-elected in 2023 at the party’s fifth congress.

Talabani’s election as president of the Social Democratic Alliance in the Arab World is viewed as a step that could expand his influence beyond Iraq and into wider regional politics.

In his closing remarks, Talabani called for unity and implementation of decisions made during the conference. “Our peoples are watching,” he said. “They expect progress, not promises.”

(With files from PUK media | Channel 8)