Arab foreign ministers meet in Iraq, outline agenda for Baghdad summit

BAGHDAD/ISTANBUL

Arab foreign ministers outlined the agenda for the 34th Arab League Summit set for Saturday in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, placing the Palestinian cause at the forefront of key issues and initiatives, Iraqi government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi said Thursday.

Speaking to the official Iraqi News Agency (INA), Awadi said the ministers, meeting in a closed session, reviewed and endorsed the summit’s draft agenda and resolutions for Arab leaders to consider adopting.

The agenda includes eight main items covering joint Arab efforts, with the Palestinian issue, Arab national security and counterterrorism leading the priorities, he added.

The ministers’ proposals will be presented to heads of state and government at the 34th session of the Arab League Council at the summit level, Awadi noted.

He outlined five key files on the agenda: two reports—one on the 33rd summit’s outcomes and commitments and another on joint Arab efforts by the league’s secretary-general; the Palestinian cause and Arab-Israeli conflict, encompassing five detailed items; Arab affairs and national security, addressing 11 regional crises; climate change and shared Arab security, alongside the venue for the 35th summit; and Arab nominations for regional and international institutional roles.

Additionally, Awadi highlighted five Iraqi-led initiatives approved by the ministers, including establishing an Arab counterterrorism center, an Arab anti-narcotics center, an Arab national crime prevention center, a joint Arab security coordination chamber, and an Arab fund to support recovery and reconstruction from crises, he said.

Earlier, an Arab ministerial meeting kicked off in Baghdad to prepare for the annual Arab summit. The ministers started arriving Wednesday to participate.

This year’s annual Arab summit will be held under the theme "Dialogue, Solidarity and Development" to discuss a flurry of issues, including the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, where nearly 53,000 people have been killed since October 2023.

BAGHDAD/ISTANBUL

The agenda includes eight main items covering joint Arab efforts, with the Palestinian issue, Arab national security and counterterrorism leading the priorities, he added.

The ministers’ proposals will be presented to heads of state and government at the 34th session of the Arab League Council at the summit level, Awadi noted.

Earlier, an Arab ministerial meeting kicked off in Baghdad to prepare for the annual Arab summit. The ministers started arriving Wednesday to participate.