His Excellency Engineer Abdenabi Manar, Director General, led the Organization’s delegation to the 116th regular session of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States, held at the League’s headquarters in Cairo from 31 August to 3 September 2025. During this session, Tunisia assumed the presidency of the current term, succeeding the Kingdom of Bahrain, which chaired the previous 115th session. The Council discussed a number of economic and social issues concerning joint Arab action.
The meeting addressed several priority topics aimed at strengthening Arab economic development and supporting efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Agenda. The ministerial council underscored the importance of reinforcing joint Arab economic and social action in light of the rapid global economic changes, as well as the need to advance the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
The session also reviewed significant economic and social proposals, including the establishment of the Arab Medicines Agency “Waad,” the Arab Ministerial Council on Artificial Intelligence, the Arab Council of Ministers of Trade, the Arab Customs Affairs Council, and the Arab Artificial Intelligence Center.
The agenda further included the Secretary General’s report, follow-up on the implementation of the decisions of the 115th session of the Council, and preparation of the economic and social file for the upcoming 35th Arab League Summit, to be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Other items discussed included the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, developments of the Arab Customs Union, and investment in Arab countries. The Council also considered the establishment of an Arab Fund to contribute to the reconstruction of Yemen (at Yemen’s request), the role of the social and solidarity economy in promoting territorial justice and human capital development (submitted by the Kingdom of Morocco), and the development of mechanisms for adding new agenda items (proposed by the Kingdom of Bahrain).
The agenda also covered recurring economic issues, such as support for the Palestinian economy and the unified Arab position for the upcoming joint annual meeting with the International Monetary Fund.
Additionally, the Council reviewed periodic reports submitted by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) on the state of Arab food security, the implementation of the Arab Program for Sustainable Food Security, the Arab Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural Development 2020–2030, the Arab Strategy for the Sustainable Management of Rangeland Resources 2020–2040, and the Arab Aquaculture Strategy 2018–2037.
On matters related to Arab organizations and joint institutions, the Council discussed items referred by the Committee of Organizations for Coordination and Follow-up, as well as the Technical Committee on the unified statutes of specialized Arab organizations.
In his opening remarks, Minister of Trade and Export Development, Mr. Samir Abid, reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their sovereignty over their land. He stressed Tunisia’s commitment to strengthening joint Arab action and economic integration, guided by the principles of shared destiny and deep ties among Arab states.
He emphasized that during its presidency of the 116th session, Tunisia, in partnership with member states and the General Secretariat of the Arab League, will work to enhance integration across developmental, economic, and social fields, and with regional blocs, in order to strengthen the Arab region’s standing at both regional and international levels.
The minister highlighted the developmental challenges still facing the Arab region, including low growth, high poverty and unemployment rates, and environmental and climate challenges, despite the progress achieved in many Arab countries. He called for greater reliance on Arab capacities and resources to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic and social development, stressing the need for practical, results-oriented projects and joint efforts to ensure the effective implementation of agreed initiatives.
He also underlined the importance of reinforcing the Greater Arab Free Trade Area to enhance partnerships, reduce trade costs, and create broader opportunities for integration, while investing in human capital, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, and fostering sustainable growth in Arab economies.
The minister further noted the importance of developmental projects approved by Arab Economic and Development Summits, including regional infrastructure connectivity, Arab food security, sustainable agricultural development, Arab water security, energy and renewable energy, electricity interconnection, and support for vulnerable social groups.
In his remarks during the opening session, the Secretary General of the Arab League, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, stressed the significance of the agenda items, particularly those related to new ministerial councils and the enhancement of specialized Arab organizations. He described these initiatives as “vital and necessary,” noting that the current stage requires updating mechanisms of collective Arab action to keep pace with contemporary demands and rapid changes.
It is worth noting that the Economic and Social Council is one of the main bodies of the League of Arab States. It comprises ministers of economy and finance from Arab member states and convenes twice a year to promote cooperation among members, strengthen their economies, utilize their natural resources, and facilitate intra-Arab trade. The Council also holds preparatory meetings for Arab summits on economic and social issues.