Doha, May 17 (QNA) - Amid a backdrop of complex regional and international developments, the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, hosts today the 34th regular session of the Arab League Summit and the 5th Arab Economic and Social Development Summit.

The summits coincide with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Arab League and come at a time when the ongoing Israeli occupation aggression on Gaza and its worsening humanitarian consequences are posing unprecedented challenges.

In preparation, Arab League, in coordination with Iraq, developed a comprehensive summit agenda. On Jan. 30, 2025, Baghdad hosted Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, to discuss organizational and logistical arrangements.

At the time, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed that the agenda would address key regional issues, with a focus on promoting security and stability, enhancing Arab economic cooperation, and responding to the political and humanitarian challenges stemming from the ongoing Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip.

The summit, originally scheduled for April, was postponed to May following the emergency Arab summit held in Cairo on Mar. 4, which focused on developments in Gaza. The decision to reschedule was made in coordination with Iraq.

The final communique of the Cairo summit emphasized the need for effective Arab and international action to halt Israeli occupation violations, voiced support for mediation efforts led by Qatar and Egypt, and called for intensified Arab diplomatic engagement in international forums.

The Baghdad summit convenes under sensitive political and security circumstances, chief among them the situation in Gaza, where Israeli occupation attacks continue amid deepening humanitarian suffering and escalating threats of forced displacement.

This reality calls for a unified Arab stance in support of neighboring countries - particularly Jordan and Egypt - which face mounting pressures in this context.

The summit is expected to revisit Egypt's proposal for the reconstruction and development of Gaza, in a plan that may exceed 30–40 billion USD, considering the extensive damage to infrastructure and the scale of losses.

Arab leaders will also discuss mechanisms for providing effective support to Gaza's population amid the ongoing blockade and restrictions on the entry of food and medical aid.

The summit will underscore the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian relief and highlight the critical role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), while calling for an end to Israeli practices that obstruct its operations.

Additionally, the summit is expected to reaffirm the rejection of continued Israeli violations in the West Bank, including settler violence and financial measures that undermine the Palestinian economy - particularly the withholding of clearance revenues - as blatant breaches of international and humanitarian law and relevant UN resolutions.

The issue of the two-state solution is also anticipated to return to the forefront of discussions, following the United Nations General Assembly's May 10, 2024 vote in favor of Palestine's bid for full membership, supported by 143 countries.

The vote was followed by a call for the UN Security Council to reconsider its previous decision on the matter during its April 18 session and to adopt a fair stance that upholds the Palestinian people's rights to life, freedom, and dignity.

In this context, the summit is also expected to urge the international community to support the Palestinian right to self-determination and to commend the countries that have recognized the State of Palestine or announced their intention to do so - particularly several European nations that have shown increasing openness toward recognition.

The agenda of the Arab League Summit convening on Saturday in Baghdad is expected to cover a broad spectrum of pressing developments across the region, including the situation in southern Lebanon and means of supporting the reconstruction of areas devastated by ongoing Israeli bombardment and repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

The war in Sudan also tops the summit's priorities, as the worsening humanitarian situation presents a major challenge requiring urgent international action to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people. In parallel, discussions will address the situations in Yemen, Libya, and Somalia.

On Syria, the summit is expected to explore avenues for supporting the newly formed Syrian government, contributing to a successful political transition, and advancing post-war reconstruction efforts, including opportunities for international investment and cooperation.

Additionally, the summit is likely to call on the Israeli occupation to withdraw from recently occupied Syrian territories, cease airstrikes and incitement, and respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On the broader regional front, the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States are expected to be discussed, particularly given the direct implications of Iran's nuclear program on Arab regional security.

Economically, the summit will focus on strengthening joint Arab cooperation in addressing current development challenges.

It is set to revisit issues raised during the previous Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, including initiatives to improve social and economic conditions across the Arab world.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the Baghdad Summit will address all matters of mutual interest among Arab nations, in a way that reinforces the Arab League’s role amid the significant challenges facing the region.

In this spirit of pan-Arab cooperation, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, earlier confirmed that the 5th Arab Economic and Social Development Summit - also taking place today - will be dedicated to discussing key social and developmental issues, aiming to support sustainable development and enhance economic and social collaboration among member states.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated that Iraq is working to boost Arab coordination to confront major regional challenges, emphasizing the importance of supporting joint economic efforts. He revealed proposals to establish financial funds to assist Arab populations, particularly the Palestinian people, amid the catastrophic situation in the occupied territories and Gaza.

Aligned with this direction, the Baghdad Summit is expected to build on the outcomes of the 33rd Arab League Summit hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2024, particularly in the economic and social spheres.

Key topics include Arab engagement with climate change, strengthening Arab water security - especially in relation to Egypt and Sudan’s rights to Nile River waters- and enhancing cooperation in financial technology, innovation, and digital transformation to support regional economic integration.

The summit's agenda also features a review of the updated Arab Human Rights Strategy, discussions on the Arab media strategy to combat terrorism, and the development of the region's security framework in response to growing threats.

It will also examine the Arab Economic and Social Council's 12-point plan, led by the emergency response strategy addressing the socio-economic fallout of the Israeli aggression on Palestine.

Further, the summit will assess progress on the Arab Free Trade Agreement and explore mechanisms for establishing an Arab Customs Union, in addition to deepening cooperation in technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Other major items include the Arab Strategy on Youth, Peace, and Security (2023–2028), and the Arab League Secretariat's proposal for “Arab Vision 2045” as a forward-looking roadmap for development and regional integration.

The summit will also consider the updated Arab Water Security Strategy (2020–2030), endorsed by the Arab Ministerial Council for Water, to meet the region’s future sustainable development needs.

The Baghdad Summit marks a critical juncture for joint Arab action, tackling an array of complex political, security, economic, and humanitarian issues - foremost among them the Palestinian cause, and the crises in Sudan, Syria, and Yemen - while advancing regional economic integration and addressing development challenges across the Arab world. (QNA)