SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL – ISTANBUL
United for the World We Deserve – A Global Vision of Values and Solidarity
The Socialist International held the first Council of 2025 in Istanbul/Türkiye on 23–25 May. A Presidium meeting preceded the Council on Friday, 23 May.
Chantal Kambiwa, SI General Coordinator, warmly thanked the host party, CHP, and welcomed more than 450 delegates from member parties, progressive leaders, and guests, highlighting the importance of this gathering in these very challenging times for all continents.
Selin Sayek Böke, Secretary General of the host party, CHP, read a very moving message from the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was enthusiastically involved in the preparation of the SI Council before being arrested and imprisoned.
The leader of the CHP, Özgür Özel, in his opening speech, analysed at length how the challenges faced by his party in promoting democracy and the rule of law relate to the key priorities of the progressive movement worldwide.
Socialist International President Pedro Sánchez, in his keynote speech, described the importance of unity and solidarity in addressing the coordinated efforts of the Far Right International to prevail on the global stage. He highlighted how the Socialist International is at the forefront in all the battles for democracy and human rights, and also contributes to generating innovative ideas and strategies adapted to the complex digital world of today.
Then, the iconic Turkish author, composer and political activist, Zülfü Livaneli, presented a philosophical view on the relevance of progressive values beyond borders.
The first theme of the agenda was “_Safeguarding Democracy in the Digital World”, and speakers, with their contributions, enriched the discussion started in the Ad Hoc Committee that took place in Tirana at the beginning of the year.
Tülay Hatimoğulları, Co-Chair of the DEM, an SI member party, presented current challenges to democracy in our era, emphasising the need to build inclusive societies with respect for human rights.
Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of Niger and Executive Director of the Issoufou Foundation, presented the challenges related to democracy and peace-building in Africa, analysing in depth the situation in the Sahel.
Paul Magnette, Chair of the SI Europe Committee, emphasised the need to contain the rise of populist leaders in Europe and expressed his solidarity with those fighting for democracy in Türkiye, and in particular with Ekrem İmamoğlu. Solidarity with the Mayor of Istanbul and all those detained without proof of guilt was also expressed by the leader of the Democratic Party of Italy, Elly Schlein, and delegates asked for his immediate release.
The Chair of the SI Latin America and the Caribbean Committee, Manuel Vargas, presented the extensive discussion on democracy and the rule of law in the region as addressed at the SICLAC meeting in Panama, 9–11 May 2025.
The second theme was “_Addressing Violence and Conflicts, Protecting Civilians”.
The absolute necessity to end without delay the arbitrary bloodshed in Gaza, to stop the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland, and to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance through proper channels, was expressed by many speakers following a keynote speech by the representative of Fatah, Afif Safieh. It was also stressed that it is of paramount importance to strengthen the peace camp in Israel and work with our member parties, Fatah and the Democrats, for the implementation of a two-states solution as the only way to guarantee security for Israel, Palestine and the broader region.
The extreme toll on civilians, particularly women and girls, from proxy conflicts in Africa was presented as a very serious matter of concern by speakers from Africa and beyond, in relation also to the role of regional and international organisations.
The current situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan was described by SI Vice-President Mario Nalpatian, who made an appeal for the release of Armenian prisoners unlawfully detained in Azeri jails.
The third theme was “_The Global Development Polycrisis and Its Implications from Africa to Latin America”.
The current cuts in development assistance and humanitarian aid by the United States and their implications for health, population movements, poverty, democracy, and the implementation of the SDGs were discussed in a very lively panel that included speakers from Africa and Latin America.
SIW President Janet Camilo presented the conclusions of the meeting organised before the Council, with the support of the host party CHP, emphasising the backlash against women’s rights registered in many countries.
Hend Mgaieth, President of IUSY, presented the outcome of the IUSY World Council 2025 that was held in Priština on 15–18 May.
The Socialist International Moving Forward
In the Council meeting, Chantal Kambiwa presented a comprehensive report of all SI activities since the Rabat Council, including regional committee meetings, ad hoc committee meetings, special missions and reports.
An important SI initiative launched during the Istanbul Council was the setup of a Socialist International Network of Regional and Local Authorities. The network was launched during a special working lunch chaired by SI President Pedro Sánchez on 24 May. The first Chair of the Network will be Ahmet Aras, Mayor of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality. (see details…)
The SI General Coordinator also presented a number of other initiatives and meetings planned for the coming months. In this context, she announced that John Grech from Malta PL accepted to be the Chair of the Mediterranean Committee, which will meet alongside the next Council in Malta. Apart from the regular regional meetings, she mentioned a planned meeting of the Kurdish Working Group in Sulaymaniye in the autumn, an ad hoc meeting on communication strategy in Madrid, and a Presidium meeting in New York during the UN General Assembly. In the coming period, the Committee on Eastern Europe and Central Asia will hold its first meeting, and it was decided to set up a Working Group on peace-building in the Caucasus region.
Chantal Kambiwa also presented the composition of the Equality Committee, which was voted on by the delegates.
The statutory Committees of SIFAC and Ethics met on Friday, 23 May.
Eero Heinäluoma, Chair of SIFAC, in his report to the Council, thanked the member parties that fulfil their financial obligations and presented significant improvements in the administrative and financial organisation of the SI. He also announced stricter measures for members who have not paid their pending fees for more than three years.
Paulina Lampsa, Chair of the Ethics Committee, in her report, announced that the Committee recommended accepting the GSLP party of Gibraltar as a full member. Also, to accept the North Macedonia party SDUM and the Ivory Coast party FPI to rejoin the organisation at their previous status. Regarding the issue presented by the Latin America Committee, the dossier was given to three members of the Ethics Committee to present their recommendation before the end of June.
Both reports were unanimously voted on by the delegates.
On 24 May, a special ceremony took place, dedicated to the Francisco Peña Awards. (see details…)
