Saudi Arabia's Leadership of Arab League Council Commended Ahead of Bahrain Summit

As the Arab League prepares for its 33rd regular session in Manama, Bahrain on May 16, 2024, Saudi Arabia's presidency of the previous Arab League Council session has been praised. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, chaired a meeting of permanent representatives and senior officials of Arab countries in Manama on May 13, commending Saudi Arabia's efforts during its presidency.

Why this matters: The success of the Arab League summit has significant implications for regional stability and security, as it addresses pressing issues such as the Palestine cause and foreign interference in Arab countries. A unified stance among Arab nations can also influence global policies and decisions on these matters.

The upcoming Bahrain Summit coincides with the silver jubilee of the accession of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. It convenes at an exceptional and critical time, given the magnitude of challenges facing the Arab world, including the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the threat posed by armed militias. Shaikh Abdullah emphasized that "The Bahrain Summit is a message of peace and solidarity, an energy of hope and optimism for the people of the Arab Nation."

Bahrain is exerting utmost efforts to support just Arab causes and is fully committed to fulfilling its obligations and advocating for unity and solidarity. Shaikh Abdullah stated, "The people of the Arab Nation await concrete and successful decisions that unify joint Arab efforts, overcome existing challenges, and prevent foreign interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries." He further affirmed that Bahrain consistently supports efforts to safeguard Arab values and promote achievements.

The meeting discussed the topics on the agenda and decided to submit the necessary recommendations to the preparatory meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers ahead of the summit. Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League and Head of the Office of the Secretary-General, expressed optimism, saying, "I expected that the Bahrain summit will produce positive resolutions and unified positions towards the Arab issues and challenges."

The Bahrain Summit aims to comprehensively revitalize joint Arab action, open new paths for Arab integration based on peace and development, and build partnerships. A just and comprehensive peace is seen as a strategic choice to uphold Arab national security and ensure stability and prosperity for all countries in the region. The Palestine cause remains the core issue of the conflict in the Middle East and the central cause of the Arab world.

The 33rd Arab Summit in Bahrain follows the previous summit hosted by Saudi Arabia, which concluded with the issuance of the Jeddah Declaration. The declaration encompassed numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing collective efforts across economic, agricultural, cultural, and educational domains. It also issued important decisions in support of joint action, including accomplishing the requirements of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area.

As Arab leaders gather in Bahrain, the summit is expected to address critical economic and social challenges facing the Middle East. Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad arrived in Manama on May 13 to participate in the preparatory meetings, marking the second regular session Arab summit with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's participation since 2010. During the preparatory ministerial-level meeting, Syrian Minister of Economy Mohammad Samer al-Khalil emphasized the need for Arab economic integration, particularly in food manufacturing, to achieve food security for all Arab countries.

The Arab League's 33rd summit in Bahrain comes at a pivotal time for the region, as it grapples with pressing challenges and seeks to foster greater cooperation and solidarity among member states. With Saudi Arabia's leadership during the previous session praised and the participation of Syria after its readmission to the Arab League, the summit holds the potential to produce meaningful resolutions and unified positions on critical Arab issues. As leaders convene in Manama, the world will be closely watching the outcomes and implications of this significant gathering for the future of the Arab world.

Key Takeaways

• Saudi Arabia's presidency of the Arab League Council session praised ahead of 33rd summit in Bahrain.
• Bahrain Summit aims to address pressing issues like Palestine cause and foreign interference in Arab countries.
• Summit coincides with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's silver jubilee and marks Syria's 2nd regular session since 2010.
• Arab leaders seek to foster greater cooperation and solidarity to address regional challenges.
• Summit expected to produce meaningful resolutions and unified positions on critical Arab issues.