Minister of Public Works Calls for Building an Integrated Arab Transport and Logistics System

Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan called for the establishment of an integrated Arab transport and logistics system based on strengthening links between Arab countries, exchanging information and expertise, developing joint coordination mechanisms, and raising readiness and emergency response levels to ensure the continuity of supply chains and enhance Arab economic security.

This came in a speech by Minister Al-Mashaan today, Tuesday, at the opening of the 39th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport, held at the headquarters of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria.

Minister Al-Mashaan said, “I am pleased to meet you today at this important Arab forum, which embodies the depth of fraternal ties among our countries and underscores our shared commitment to elevating the transport sector as a key driver of economic development and a cornerstone of integration and connectivity among Arab states.”

She expressed her sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport for its excellent hosting and hospitality, commending the commendable efforts of the Academy’s President, Dr. Ismail Abdel Gaffar, in supporting joint Arab work and developing the transport and logistics system.

She also expressed her thanks and appreciation to the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States for its continuous efforts in preparing and organizing the Council’s sessions and following up on the implementation of its decisions and recommendations, thereby enhancing the course of cooperation and coordination among Arab countries.

She emphasized the importance of holding the meeting in light of the rapid developments and growing challenges facing the region, including Iranian aggression targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan, which constitutes a blatant violation of state sovereignty, principles of good neighborliness, and international law, given that such actions pose a direct threat to the security and stability of the region.

In this regard, she pointed to the ongoing terrorist attacks launched by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which confirm to everyone the severity of such threats to the Kingdom’s security and territorial integrity, “necessitating a unified and responsible Arab stance to confront anything that undermines the security of our countries and the stability of the region.”

Minister Al-Mashaan stressed that these challenges “have directly impacted the transport sector and supply chains at both the regional and international levels, placing a doubled responsibility on us to develop the transport system, enhance its adaptability and responsiveness to changes, and ensure the continuity of services and trade movement under all circumstances.”

She clarified in this context that transport is no longer merely a means for the movement of people and goods, but has become a fundamental element in achieving economic security, enhancing the competitiveness of countries, and ensuring the delivery of essential goods and needs to societies.

She added, “From this perspective, the topics on our Council’s agenda hold special importance, as they include efforts to develop land and maritime transport and multimodal systems, strengthen links between Arab transport networks, update regulatory and legislative frameworks, raise safety and efficiency standards, and support digital transformation and sustainability in this vital sector.”

Minister Al-Mashaan expressed hope that the meeting’s discussions would contribute to formulating practical decisions and recommendations that enhance integration among transport systems in Arab countries, support the smooth flow of trade and cross-border transport, and elevate joint coordination to address future challenges.

She stated that the developments and exceptional circumstances the region has witnessed have proven that supply chain resilience is no longer an option but a strategic necessity requiring prior preparedness, effective coordination, and rapid response.

In this context, she affirmed that the State of Kuwait, in cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and relevant national authorities, has taken a number of exceptional measures to ensure the continuity of transport flows and enhance the resilience of supply chains.

She noted that these measures reflected the importance of integration among national entities and coordination with Arab countries, emphasizing the need to strengthen preparedness and the resilience of transport systems to ensure the continuity of supply chains in the face of exceptional circumstances.

With the conclusion of Kuwait’s chairmanship of the Ministerial Council, Minister Al-Mushaan extended her sincere thanks and appreciation to the Arab ministers, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and all concerned parties for their cooperation and commendable efforts in supporting the work of the 38th session of the Arab Transport Ministers Council and advancing the course of joint Arab action.

On this occasion, she announced the handover of the chairmanship of the 39th session of the Arab Transport Ministers Council to Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Major General Engineer Kamal al-Wazir, wishing him success and guidance in leading the Council’s work. She expressed hope that the session’s outcomes would yield constructive decisions that contribute to the development, integration, and sustainability of the Arab transport system.

Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mushaan is chairing the State of Kuwait’s delegation to the session, which includes Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States, Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi.