34th Arab Summit, 5th Economic and Social Summit conclude in Baghdad
Baghdad, May 17 (BNA): Baghdad hosted the conclusion of the 34th Arab Summit and the 5th Economic and Social Development Summit, where the Kingdom of Bahrain was represented by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The summits were chaired by His Excellency Abdul Latif Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq, and attended by Arab leaders and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.
The summits concluded with the Baghdad Declaration, which emphasised the centrality of the Palestinian cause as a core issue for the Arab nation and a pillar of regional stability. The declaration expressed full Arab support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent, fully sovereign State of Palestine. It called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and for unimpeded delivery of urgent humanitarian aid.
The declaration urged all countries to provide political, financial, and legal support for the Gaza reconstruction plan and rejected any form of forced displacement of the Palestinian people.
It also reiterated the Arab position in support of a just and comprehensive peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue. It called for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The declaration reflected the outcomes of the Economic and Social Development Summit, noting that leaders discussed several initiatives proposed by Arab countries in vital areas, including the blue economy, artificial intelligence, the Arab Economic Reform Charter for the next decade, food security, school and university health development, the proposal to establish a Council of Arab Trade Ministers. The summit also addressed support for development needs in Yemen, Sudan, and the Palestinian territories.
The summit reviewed progress on the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, steps to establish the Arab Customs Union, and the action plan for the Arab Strategy for Water Security to meet future development challenges and sustainable development goals for 2030.
It adopted several strategies and development plans, including the Arab Strategy for Food Security 2025-2035, a comprehensive plan for vocational and technical education development, the strategic framework and action plan for the regional programme on Arab women’s economic and social empowerment It also approved a declaration of principles on the future of human resources in light of technological transformation and the Arab Strategy for Workforce Development and Employment.
The summit supported the Kingdom of Bahrain’s call for an international treaty to regulate and govern AI. The initiative was presented by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2024. It aims to ensure that AI contributes to peace and serves as a driver of innovation and creativity.
The summit discussed enhancing Arab leadership in the space sector through the Bahraini satellite project "Al Munther". It commended the Kingdom’s efforts in advancing the Arab space sector and fostering joint Arab action in this strategic field. The declaration highlighted cooperation with the Bahrain Space Agency and the exchange of expertise in modern space applications featured in the satellite, including the use of AI in big data analysis. The project was described as a significant achievement in technology localisation, contributing to Arab capabilities in remote sensing, AI technologies, space cybersecurity, and regional space partnerships.
Bahrain’s delegation included Khaled Yousef Al Jalahma, Undersecretary for Political Affairs; Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, Ambassador of Bahrain to the Arab Republic of Egypt and Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States; Khalid Ahmed Al Mansour, Ambassador to Iraq; and Nawaf Hashem Al Sada, Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy.
