Cairo: The Sultanate of Oman today participated in the 116th regular session of the Arab Economic and Social Council, convened in Cairo at the ministerial level. Oman’s delegation at the meeting was led by Dr. Said bin Mohammed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy.
According to Oman News Agency, the meeting addressed the report of the Secretary General of the Arab League on joint Arab economic and social action. Additionally, discussions were held regarding preparations for the ‘economic and social file’ set to be presented at the upcoming 35th Arab Summit in Saudi Arabia.
The agenda of this session covered a variety of significant topics, such as developments in the Greater Arab Free Trade Area and the Arab Customs Union. The session also explored ways to enhance investment opportunities among Arab nations and reviewed issues brought up by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development concerning food security in the region.
Further discussions included the progress of various programmes and strategies like the ‘Arab Programme for Sustainable Food Security’ and the ‘Arab Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy 2020-2030’. The session also reviewed the ‘Arab Strategy for Sustainable Management of Pastoral Resources 2020-2040’ and the ‘Arab Strategy for Aquaculture 2018-2037’.
Proposals were also made to establish new councils, including a ‘Council of Arab Ministers of Commerce’, an ‘Arab Ministerial Council for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies’, and an ‘Arab Council for Customs Affairs’. The ministers exchanged views on the operations of specialized Arab organizations and institutions associated with the Secretariat General of the Arab League.