The Economic Committee of the Arab Economic and Social Council begins its work with the participation of the State of Kuwait
The Economic Committee of the Arab League’s Economic and Social Council began its work today, Monday, with the participation of the State of Kuwait, to discuss several economic and developmental topics on the agenda of the 118th session of the Ministerial Council, scheduled to be held next Thursday.
In his opening address while presiding over the meeting, the representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Naif Al-Anzi, Deputy Assistant Minister of Finance for International Relations, called for strengthening Arab economic cooperation and integration among Arab economies, expanding intra-Arab trade and investment, food security, and energy, as well as encouraging innovation and digital transformation.
Al-Anzi affirmed the Kingdom’s support for efforts aimed at enhancing the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, developing mechanisms for Arab economic integration, and removing obstacles that hinder the flow of goods and services among Arab countries, thereby serving the interests of member states.
He noted that Iraq hosted the 34th Arab Summit and the 5th Arab Development Summit last year, pointing out that these summits issued a number of important decisions in the economic field, contributing to the enhancement of joint Arab action.
He stated that the Kingdom’s economy has undergone a qualitative transformation in recent years under the framework of “Saudi Vision 2030,” which aims to enhance economic competitiveness, increase the contribution of non-oil sectors, empower the private sector, attract investments, and develop the business environment.
Al-Anzi expressed hope that the committee’s meetings would yield tangible results contributing to the construction of a more integrated and competitive Arab economy in the global economic landscape.
For his part, Ali Al-Maliki, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the Arab League, congratulated Saudi Arabia on presiding over the current session of the Economic and Social Council, affirming the Arab League’s readiness to provide necessary support to ensure the success of the council’s work.
In his speech, Al-Maliki said the meeting takes place amid rapid economic developments at both the regional and international levels, some of which have repercussions on Arab economies, requiring that the topics under discussion be addressed in line with these rapid changes to achieve positive outcomes for Arab countries and their peoples.
He emphasized the League’s aspiration for discussions characterized by cooperation, consensus, and bridging differences, leading to the desired results that would facilitate the work of the council’s subsequent sessions. He reaffirmed the League’s readiness to provide support and assistance to the council and to address any comments or inquiries, contributing to the success of its work and the achievement of targeted outcomes.
Over a two-day period, the committee will discuss a number of economic topics, foremost among them the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, efforts to complete and develop the Arab Customs Union, investment in Arab countries, and support for the Palestinian economy, alongside preparing a unified Arab position for the joint annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in 2026.
The committee will also review periodic reports submitted by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development regarding the state of Arab food security, monitor the implementation of the Arab Program for Food Security Sustainability and the Arab Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural Development 2020–2030. It will further examine the follow-up on the implementation of the Arab Strategy for Sustainable Management of Rangeland Resources 2020–2040 and the Arab Strategy for Aquaculture 2018–2037.
Under the item “Any Other Business,” the committee will discuss several proposals submitted by Arab countries, including three topics presented by Saudi Arabia: its global achievement of leading the world in the Digital Readiness Index for 2025; its experience in regulating artificial intelligence and enhancing Arab cooperation in risk-based governance; and its experience in building a system for human capacity development in the fields of data and artificial intelligence.
It will also discuss two topics submitted by Iraq concerning logistical integration and Arab food security through inter-development corridors, enhancing Arab cooperation in digital transformation for public financial management, and exchanging experiences in applying electronic financial systems.
The committee will consider a proposal submitted by Yemen regarding support for the Industrial and Commercial Institute to enhance the export sector in the Republic of Yemen within the framework of the reconstruction and economic recovery plan, and a proposal from Tunisia on strategic planning in Arab countries in light of environmental and technological challenges.
The Economic Committee is scheduled to submit a report on its work, including draft decisions related to the discussed items, to the meeting of senior officials of the Economic and Social Council, to be held the day after tomorrow (Wednesday), with a view to presenting them to the ministerial session next Thursday.
Anwar Al-Minaawar, Director of the Arab and Gulf Economic Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Finance, represents the State of Kuwait at the meeting.
