Strategic Sustainable Development Organization

The Strategic Sustainable Development Organization (SDO) is proud to announce the release of a groundbreaking research paper by civil society leader and political analyst Suhad Talabany, offering an in-depth examination of Iraq’s 2025 parliamentary elections through a human rights and democratic governance lens.

Based purely on the most credible reports from leading authorities—including the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Human Rights Watch, renowned election monitoring bodies, respected NGOs, and trusted media—the paper explores the trajectory of Iraq’s democratic development since 2005. It assesses both advances in electoral administration and new threats to civic space, the rights of women and minorities, and inclusive public participation.

The study provides:

• A historical overview of Iraq’s electoral landscape and democratic reforms.

• A rigorous human rights analysis, addressing legal rollbacks, gender equality setbacks, and violence against activists, journalists, and marginalized populations.

• Expert insights on challenges facing electoral transparency, voter security, and institutional independence.

• A detailed examination of the evolving role of domestic and international election observers—especially as UNAMI prepares its mission drawdown in 2025.

• Action-oriented recommendations for reinforcing inclusive elections, legislative reform, and resilient democratic institutions.

Suhad Talabany’s paper reaffirms SDO’s dedication to evidence-based advocacy, inclusive policy reform, and advancing the voices of Iraq’s diverse communities. By focusing on both high-level trends and lived experiences, the publication is set to inform decision-makers, civil society partners, and citizens committed to building a more just, accountable, and participatory future for Iraq.

We invite stakeholders, the Iraqi public, and our international partners to read and engage with this important work as Iraq stands at a crossroads in its democratic journey. Together, our commitment to transparency, human rights, and sustainable development remains stronger than ever.

For media and partnership inquiries, or to access the full report, please contact SDO at info@sdo-mena.org.

The Strategic Sustainable Development Organization (SDO), in collaboration with The Gate and TAZ Logistics, is pleased to announce ongoing preparations for the Smart Functional Food & Global Economy Conference, scheduled for October 2025 in Erbil, under the patronage of H.E. the Minister of Agriculture in the Kurdistan Region, and in direct partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The conference will be held under the official theme:
🌱 “Healthy Soil… Healthy Food Production” — emphasizing the essential link between soil regeneration, food security, and public health.

This regional event will convene experts and decision-makers from Kurdistan, Jordan, and across the MENA region, along with representatives from UN agencies, regional institutions, and international development organizations. The agenda will include high-level panels on regenerative agriculture, sustainable food production, functional nutrition, public health, and policy alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As part of its broader role in the Smart Functional Food and Global Economy Initiative, SDO is actively coordinating with stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to ensure the conference serves as a platform for practical collaboration, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange.

The event directly supports the implementation of key SDGs, including:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  
  

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  
  

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  
  

• SDG 13: Climate Action
  
  

The conference will also highlight success stories from the region, showcase innovative products and value chains, and foster cooperation between institutions working toward healthier, more resilient food systems.

Further details on registration, speakers, and side events will be published soon.

📧 For partnership inquiries or participation requests: info@smart-functional-food.com
🌐 Visit the program site: www.smart-functional-food.com