
Around 27, the most prominent items of the Arab Economic and Social Council meeting
The Ministry of Trade revealed the most prominent items on the agenda of the Arab Economic and Social Council's preparatory meeting for the development summit on Tuesday, noting that the total number of items reached 27.
The Arab Economic and Social Council held its ministerial meeting, discussing the summit agenda, which included 27 items covering a range of economic, social, and developmental issues that are a priority for joint Arab action, according to a statement by the Ministry - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
The statement included the most prominent items of the meeting as follows:
1. Strengthening Arab economic integration: Focus was placed on completing the Greater Arab Free Trade Area project and enhancing electricity and transportation interconnection projects between Arab countries.
2. Food and water security: The meeting discussed initiatives to achieve food and water security in the region, including support for sustainable agriculture and the development of water resources.
3. The Arab Artificial Intelligence Initiative: The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States' initiative, the Arab Artificial Intelligence Initiative Towards Technological Leadership and Sustainable Development, was reviewed. It aims to promote the use of modern technologies in development.
4. Support and Shelter for IDPs from the Palestinian Territories: The meeting discussed the project to support and shelter displaced families from the Palestinian territories and to counter attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.
5. Empowering Youth and Women: The issues of empowering youth and women, developing technical education, digital transformation, and building cyber capabilities were discussed, with an emphasis on protecting Arab cultural heritage.
6. Issuing the "Baghdad Declaration". The summit is scheduled to conclude with the issuance of the "Baghdad Declaration," which is expected to embody the unified Arab position on the political, economic, and security issues on the agenda.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraq Business
3 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Basra Gas Company to Boost LPG Output
By John Lee. The Ministry of Oil plans to increase the production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at the Basra Gas Company (BGC) to more than 8,000 tonnes per day in the coming years. Speaking at the LPG Forum organised by the BGC, Izzat Saber Ismail, Deputy Oil Minister for Gas Affairs, said that this effort is part of the Ministry's gas sector development strategy, which aligns with government programmes and directives from Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani. Current LPG production at BGC stands at 6,000 tonnes per day. The Ministry has increased associated gas investment to over 70 percent, up from 53 percent in the first year of the current government. The Ministry, in collaboration with international companies, has implemented several gas investment projects in Basra, Maysan, Dhi Qar, the central oilfields, and Kirkuk. These projects aim to eliminate gas flaring and thermal emissions between 2028 and 2030, in line with Iraq's commitment to the 2016 Paris Agreement. Ismail emphasised the economic significance of LPG as a major revenue source and a key contributor to diversifying Iraq's national income. He also reiterated the Ministry's commitment to developing the gas sector based on sound technical and economic foundations. (Source: Ministry of Oil)


Iraqi News
13 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq, Arab states express frustration over US strikes on Iran
Dubai – Arab countries on Sunday strongly condemned the US air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, warning of serious repercussions and calling for a return to diplomacy. Iran's former arch-rival in the region, Saudi Arabia, which has been engaged in a Chinese-brokered detente with Tehran since 2023, expressed 'great concern' over the attacks. Gulf countries have been engaged in a diplomatic frenzy for solutions since Israel launched its air campaign on their neighbour Iran on June 13. Many of the oil-rich countries host major US assets and bases and fear that a spillover from the war could threaten their security and economy. Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, said it feared 'catastrophic consequences' for the region and the entire world. Yemen's Huthi rebels repeated threats to target US vessels and warships in the Red Sea after the overnight strikes, describing them as a 'war declaration' on the Iranian people. On Saturday, the Iran-backed group threatened to resume attacks on US vessels and warships in the Red Sea despite a recent Oman-mediated truce, should Washington strike Iran. US President Donald Trump said the attacks destroyed Iran's main nuclear sites, describing them as a 'spectacular military success'. But his allies in the Gulf, who neighbour Iran, were urging a return to diplomacy. Oman, which was mediating nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, strongly condemned the US strikes labelling them illegal and calling for immediate deescalation. The United Arab Emirates expressed concern after the attack, calling for 'an immediate end to the escalation'. Bahrain, home to a major US naval base, told most of its government employees to work from home until further notice following the escalation. The US Navy's Fifth Fleet, which covers the region, is based in Bahrain. Kuwait said its finance ministry had activated an emergency plan that includes readying shelters. The Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned what it called 'blatant US aggression' against Iran. Iraq, which also hosts US bases, expressed 'deep concern and strong condemnation' of the attacks, government spokesperson Basim Alawadi said, labelling them 'a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East'. Fears are growing in Iraq over a possible intervention by Iran-backed armed factions, who have threatened Washington's interests in the region if it were to join Israel in its war against Iran. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, largely seen as close to the United States, urged both sides to resume talks to restore stability in the region. The country has been reeling from a destructive conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group over the Gaza war, which ended with a fragile truce last November despite frequent Israeli attacks on the group. Egypt also condemned the escalation in Iran, warning of 'dangerous repercussions' for the region and calling for diplomacy.


Iraqi News
15 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Egypt hails Iraqi proposal to achieve Israel-Iran ceasefire
Baghdad ( – The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdel-Atty, praised on Saturday a proposal put forward by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein during Arab foreign ministers' meeting to achieve a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Hussein recommended forming an Arab-Islamic committee to facilitate contact and engagement with the United States, European countries, and Iran to achieve a ceasefire and return to the negotiating table. Abdel-Atty's remarks took place during his meeting with Hussein on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in the Turkish city of Istanbul, according to a statement released by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. The meeting addressed the catastrophic developments in the region as a result of Israel's aggression against Iran. The two ministers highlighted the importance of increased diplomatic efforts and practical initiatives taken by all parties to de-escalate the military situation and prevent further regional deterioration. The two ministers emphasized the crucial role of coordination and collaborative interaction in preventing further escalation, which might jeopardize the region's security and stability. They also underlined the need to maintain regional peace and work together to prevent the Israel-Iran conflict from escalating.