Ammon News - Jordan participated in the extraordinary ministerial-level session of the Arab League’s Economic and Social Council, held at the League’s General Secretariat and chaired by the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The meeting was convened as part of the preparations for the fifth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, scheduled to take place in Baghdad, Iraq, this May. Representing Jordan was Counselor Muhannad Gash, Economic Advisor at the Kingdom’s Permanent Mission.

During the session, Arab League Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector, Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, outlined major challenges confronting the Arab world. She specifically addressed the ongoing inhumane practices by Israel in the Gaza Strip and other occupied Palestinian territories, along with the spillover effects on countries such as Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Abu Ghazaleh stressed that ongoing conflicts and instability continue to impede developmental progress across the region.

She also presented key issues included in the draft agenda for the upcoming summit, reflecting outcomes from the senior officials’ meeting held a day earlier.

The topics include regional water security, the Arab position for the Second World Summit for Social Development, the impact of emerging technologies and AI, food security, progress on the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, finalisation of the Arab Customs Union, solar energy development, and investment in human capital. The agenda further highlights efforts to enhance health and education in schools and universities and promote the economic and social empowerment of women.