Arab League Holds Session to Tackle Development Projects Proposed for Fifth Development Summit

​The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States convened an extraordinary session of the Economic and Social Council at the ministerial level on 7 April at its headquarters to discuss proposed economic and social development projects to be presented to Arab leaders at the upcoming Fifth Development Summit, set to take place in the Republic of Iraq on 17 May.

 Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Social Affairs Sector of the League of Arab States, highlighted that the draft agenda for the summit includes a series of development, economic, and social initiatives and projects that address the most pressing priorities for Arab citizens, particularly those related to vulnerable groups.

 These initiatives are aligned with the ongoing efforts of Arab nations, the General Secretariat, and ministerial councils, with a primary focus on providing support and shelter for families displaced by conflict within Palestinian territories and countering attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land. Ambassador Abu Ghazaleh also noted that the ministers had engaged in discussions on a number of critical social development issues, including investment in human health resources, the enhancement of technical and vocational education systems in Arab countries, the improvement of school and university health, and the development of an Arab position for the Second World Summit for Social Development.

 Additionally, the ministers deliberated on the economic and social empowerment of Arab women, as well as messages from youth and civil society, which had been submitted during the preparatory forums for the summit. These discussions also focused on initiatives that aim to improve the lives of Arab citizens, bolster efforts to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and strengthen Arab positions in international forums.

 Ambassador Ali Al-Maliki, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Economic Affairs Sector of the League of Arab States, outlined the economic topics proposed for presentation at the summit. Among the most significant are His Excellency the Secretary-General's "Arab Artificial Intelligence Initiative: Towards Technological Leadership and Sustainable Development," the initiative proposed by His Excellency the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on "The Blue Economy as a Means to Address the Food and Energy Crisis in the Arab World," Arab food security, infrastructure projects in the Republic of Yemen, development initiatives from the Republic of Sudan as part of its reconstruction phases, solar energy, Arab space leadership, and water security, along with other related key issues. These topics are set to be discussed in preparatory meetings scheduled to take place in Iraq next month, with the aim of securing political directives from Arab leaders at the Fifth Development Summit in Baghdad on 17 May.