Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani headed Bahrain’s delegation to the 34th Arab League Summit hosted by Iraq.
In his address during the opening session, the minister conveyed greetings from His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and extended their wishes for the success of the summit. He expressed appreciation to Iraqi President Dr Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid and people for their hospitality and excellent organisation.
He also thanked Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the General Secretariat staff for their efforts in advancing joint Arab action and for their co-operation during Bahrain’s presidency of the 33rd Arab Summit.
The minister said that Bahrain was honoured to chair the 33rd Summit, during which it worked to enhance Arab co-operation through initiatives focused on peace, stability, and sustainable development. He highlighted Bahrain’s initiatives adopted at the summit, including support for the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state and gain full UN membership.
He added that the initiatives also included providing educational and healthcare services to those affected by regional conflicts, and enhancing Arab co-operation in financial technology and digital transformation. He affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to implementing these initiatives through Arab co-operation frameworks and international partnerships.
He underscored Bahrain’s support for the ‘Global Alliance for Implementation of the Two-State Solution’ led by Saudi Arabia, and Egypt’s plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza adopted at the Cairo ‘Palestine Summit’.
He stressed adherence to ceasefire agreements, the release of hostages and detainees, the full and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and the safeguarding of Palestinians’ right to remain on their land as a fundamental and legitimate right.
Dr Al Zayani noted that the summit has convened amid complex regional and international challenges, and underscored the need to uphold the principles outlined in the Bahrain Declaration and the Charter of the Arab League.
He congratulated Syria on the lifting of US sanctions and commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts and the success of the recent GCC-US Summit in Riyadh.
He also emphasised the importance of investing Arab resources in joint development projects, supporting food, water, and environmental security, and maximising the use of renewable energy and digital technologies to advance sustainable development.
Support
He expressed Bahrain’s deep appreciation for the support of fellow Arab countries for Bahrain’s candidacy for non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council. He also thanked them for backing Bahrain’s initiative to establish the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, which reflects a shared commitment to promoting tolerance, peace, and human coexistence, and to advocating just causes in international forums.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Dr Al Zayani handed over the presidency of the summit to Mr Abdul Latif Rashid wishing him success and expressing hope that the summit would produce constructive outcomes that promote Arab unity and serve shared interests.
Bahrain’s delegation included Political Affairs Under-Secretary Khalid Al Jalahma, Bahrain’s Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League Fouzia Zainal, Ambassador to Iraq Khalid Al Mansour; Finance and National Economy Ministry’s International Co-operation assistant under-secretary Fayez Hashem Al Sada and other accompanying officials.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, the summit’s host, said Israel was engaged in genocide.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who addressed the summit, said “nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people”.
Israel faces growing international pressure to resume ceasefire talks and allow food and medical supplies into Gaza. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher asked the Security Council this week if it would act to “prevent genocide”.
Iraq’s prime minister announced the creation of a fund to help reconstruct Arab states after war, with an initial pledge of $20 million each for Gaza and Lebanon, where swathes of the south were destroyed last year in an Israeli campaign against the Hizbollah group.
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