The workshop organized by the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) to discuss the Kurdish national unity started in Sulaymaniyah with participation from political parties, social groups, intellectuals, writers, academics and community leaders from four parts of Kurdistan. The workshop will continue for two days and will have 350 participants, including representatives from over 60 political parties, writers, intellectuals, academics, journalists and community leaders.

The workshop in Talary Hunar in Sulaymaniyah started with a speech from KNK Deputy Co-chair Tahir Kemalizade and it will continue for 2 days. There is no protocol section set up in the workshop but four martyrs’ mothers from four parts of Kurdistan are special guests.

Only “national unity” will be discussed in the workshop. Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Gorran (Change) Movement, Komela Islamic Party, Yekgirtû Islamic Party, Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), Democratic Society Congress (DTK), 3 branches of the Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan) Komala, Eastern Kurdistan Democratic Society Congress (KODAR), Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), Syrian Kurds Progressive Democrat Party and Democratic Union Party (PYD) are among the 60+ political parties attending the workshop.

Participants are expected to give 10-15 minute presentations in the two days of the workshop. According to the preparations committee, the presentations have not been put into order for people speaking for parties or individuals. Participating parties and individuals will submit their speech appeals to the workshop board and will take turns to present.

The only topic is “national unity” in the workshop and the program is as follows:

July 15

09.00 - 10.00: Opening speech by KNK Co-chair Rebûwar Reşît

10.00: Governor of Sulaymaniyah’s welcoming speech as host and election of the board

10.00 – 13.00: Presentation proposals by political parties, individuals, institutions and various social groups on national unity.

13.00 – 14.30: Lunch break

14.30 – 18.30: Presentation proposals by political parties, individuals, institutions and various social groups on national unity.

18.30: Closing

July 16

09.00 - 13.00: Presentation proposals by political parties, individuals, institutions and various social groups on national unity.

13.00 - 14.30: Lunch break

14.00 - 16.30: Presentation proposals by political parties, individuals, institutions and various social groups on national unity.

16.30 - 18.30: Reading the outcome statement and voting.

18.30: Announcing the outcome statement in a press conference.