- 118th regular session to focus on Arab free trade, customs union, food security and joint development
CAIRO: The Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States will convene its 118th regular session at the ministerial level on Thursday at the headquarters of the League’s General Secretariat.
The session will address a range of key economic and development priorities aimed at advancing Arab regional integration and strengthening economic cooperation among member states.
Among the main issues on the agenda will be efforts to complete the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, developments concerning the establishment of the Arab Customs Union, and measures to strengthen regional food security.
The ministers are also expected to discuss a number of initiatives and issues related to joint Arab development, with the objective of promoting greater economic coordination and supporting sustainable development across the region.
Preparatory Meetings Underway
The ministerial meeting will be preceded by a series of preparatory sessions organised by the Secretariat of the Economic and Social Council.
The preparatory process began on Sunday with a meeting of the Social Committee, which is reviewing issues related to the council’s social and development agenda.
The Economic Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday to examine economic priorities and prepare recommendations for consideration by the ministerial session.
Senior Officials to Meet Ahead of Ministerial Session
The preparatory meetings will continue with a session at the senior officials level on Wednesday, one day before the ministerial meeting.
The sequence of meetings is intended to facilitate detailed consultations and help build consensus on the issues to be presented to Arab economic and social ministers.
The 118th session comes as Arab countries continue efforts to deepen economic integration, expand intra-Arab trade and strengthen collective approaches to food security and sustainable development.
The discussions on the Greater Arab Free Trade Area and Arab Customs Union are expected to remain particularly important as member states seek to remove trade barriers, facilitate the movement of goods and strengthen economic links across the Arab region.
The ministerial session will conclude the preparatory process and is expected to provide further momentum to joint Arab efforts in economic, social and development cooperation.
BY: The Times Union
