The 34th Arab Summit is set to convene in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, today amid a backdrop of significant crises and transformations on both the Arab and regional levels.
Key topics on the summit’s agenda include the Palestinian cause, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and various pressing issues within the Arab world.
The Arab leaders will also review Iraqi-led initiatives that propose establishing Arab centres dedicated to combating terrorism, drug trafficking, and organised crime. Additional proposals include a joint security co-ordination room and a co-operation fund for reconstruction and crisis recovery.
“Baghdad’s hosting of the summit stems from its pivotal role and ongoing efforts to strengthen joint Arab action to confront the region’s challenges, enhance co-operation and co-ordination, and preserve the interests of our peoples while fulfilling their aspirations for development, prosperity and peace,” Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid told the Arab League’s official media delegation.
“The Baghdad Summit will address vital issues concerning the peoples of the region and aims to reach decisions that contribute to peace and stability,” he added.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed hope in Press statements that the summit would come up with a unified message demanding an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza. He also called to halt the Israeli government’s extreme right-wing plans, “whose sole objective seems to be perpetuating violence and tension, not only in Palestine but also in Syria and Lebanon.”
“Our message must be unified, and our vision regarding our common causes must be cohesive. We must always prioritise strengthening comprehensive Arab national security. Crises in Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and Libya directly impact collective Arab security and threaten regional stability,” he added.