The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) has urged all Kurdish political forces and parties to unite through a national conference, issuing a powerful joint declaration at its 23rd General Assembly in the Netherlands.
The congress, attended by 300 delegates from across Kurdish regions and the global Kurdish diaspora, including the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia and several European nations, focused heavily on themes of national unity, peace and a democratic resolution to the Kurdish issue.
In a statement read by Zübeyir Aydar of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Executive Council, the KNK acknowledged recent seismic developments in the Kurdish political landscape—most notably the historic declaration by Abdullah Öcalan and the subsequent disbandment of the PKK.
“This moment is historic,” the declaration stated. “Mr Öcalan’s call for a democratic society, followed by the PKK’s announcement to end its armed struggle, has had a profound impact across Kurdistan and the international community.”
The statement stressed the importance of seizing this opportunity for peace and urged all stakeholders, including Kurdish political parties, civil society and the international community, to support the process.
“If a peaceful solution is achieved in northern Kurdistan [Kurdish regions of Turkey], it will positively influence all four parts of Kurdistan,” the KNK said, while also warning that the Turkish state had yet to take serious steps towards de-escalation, citing continued military operations and the use of chemical weapons.
The congress called on the United Nations and global powers to go beyond statements of support and use their diplomatic leverage with Turkey to advance peace efforts. It also advocated the involvement of a neutral third-party observer to oversee any negotiations between Kurdish representatives and Ankara.
“Let us unite our strengths”
The final appeal of the declaration was a direct invitation to all Kurdish actors to organise a national conference.
“Let us unite our strengths,” the KNK stated. “This critical moment requires unity across all four parts of Kurdistan and the diaspora. A national conference is essential to transform opportunity into lasting status and dignity.”
The General Assembly also re-elected Ahmet Karamus and Zeynep Murad as co-chairs, following a special motion that extended their term beyond the two-term limit due to exceptional circumstances. The executive council was expanded from 19 to 23 members to reflect the organisation’s growing international activities.
Regional focus: Iran, Iraq, Syria
The KNK’s declaration included a sweeping assessment of the political situation across the Middle East:
* Iran and Rojhilat (East Kurdistan): The congress backed the ongoing resistance sparked by the killing of Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini (Jîna Emînî), saluting the women-led uprisings that have spread across Iran. The statement warned that Iran’s repressive policies and targeting of Kurdish organisations were deepening the crisis.
* Iraq and Başûr (South Kurdistan): The congress expressed concern over political fragmentation and the unresolved status of territories disputed under Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, noting that Arabisation policies have intensified and Kurdish unity remains lacking.
* Syria and Rojava (West Kurdistan): The congress condemned the rise of Salafi forces in Damascus, citing threats to religious minorities and women’s rights, and stressed the urgency of securing a democratic future for Syria. The KNK welcomed the outcome of a recent Kurdish unity conference held in Rojava.
“Crises bring opportunity”
In its closing remarks, the KNK stressed that despite the deepening crises across the region—including conflicts in Palestine, instability in Iraq and Syria, and economic collapse in Iran—these shifts create a potential turning point for the Kurdish cause.
“If we unite, we can overturn the plans of occupying powers and secure lasting status for all of Kurdistan,” the declaration concluded.
