(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) DEAD SEA, Jordan, March 23 (KUNA) -- The Arab Economic and Social Council concluded its senior-level meeting here on Thursday after working out draft resolutions for the 28th Arab Summit, due on Wednesday, March 29.
The draft economic and social agenda of the summit will be submitted to the Council's minister-level meeting next Sunday for preliminary endorsement ahead of final approval by the summit, said the Arab League's Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs Kamal Hussein.
"On top of this agenda are the report of League's Secretary General on socio-economic joint action and review of the implementation of the relevant resolutions adopted by the Nouakchott summit last July," he told reporters this evening.
"The Secretary General's report deals with joint mega projects in the areas of socio-economic development and economic integration, as well as the progress towards launching the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and the Arab Customs Union," Kamal revealed.
Under a draft resolution, the report tasks the Council with developing a framework strategy for maximizing industrial contributions to the GDPs of the Arab League member countries and increasing the inter-GAFTA trade exchanges.
The planned strategy ensures sufficient financing by Arab financial institutions for trade in products of Arab origin, and facilitating and regulating trade exchanges, he went on.
Another draft stipulates working out a strategy to implement the Arab Customs Union, upgrading the customs outlets, cementing the security of trade amid the current security threats and increasing support to the least-developing Arab countries, particularly Palestine, Yemen and Sudan.
The Council approved a draft resolution for the development of fisheries under a recommendation of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development with a view to augment food security.
It also approved a draft on the second stage of the framework executive plan for Arab food security (2017-2021), Kamal noted.
In this connection, the Council reviewed the initiative of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir for Arab investment in his country to enhance Arab food security and approved a draft resolution on setting up a mechanism to implement and finance this initiative.
The Council also debated impacts of the large numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons in the Arab region on the economies of host countries and agreed to support the affected countries, he added.
Regarding the social dossier, the League's Assistant Secretary General for Social Affairs Badr-Eddin Al-Alali said the Council highlighted commitment to cooperation to combat poverty, women empowerment and youth, and enhance health and education.
"A draft has been developed approving the outcomes of the ministerial meeting on 'terrorism and social development - causes and remedies,' hosted by Sharm El-Sheikh last February.
"The draft approves the Arab declaration on terrorism and development," Al-Alali said.
The Council also reviewed the Arab strategy for scientific and technological research, which was developed by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), and the women development agenda 2030, he added. (pickup previous) mjb.gb
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