Arab League, UNFPA ink cooperation plan
The general secretariat of the Arab League and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) signed on Tuesday an action plan on cooperation between the two sides in 2024. The action plan was signed by the head of the Social Affairs Sector, Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazaleh and the UNFPA’s Dr Leila Bakr.
Abu Ghazaleh said in press statements that the plan included a number of programs, events, and activities that will be implemented in the Arab countries, indicating that it focuses on the implementation of various social and development policies, plans, and programs approved within the framework of the system of joint Arab social development work, especially those approved by the Arab summits, ministerial councils, and specialized Arab committees working in various fields and sectors of joint Arab social development work.
She pointed out that the social, humanitarian, and
health conditions in the Gaza Strip and the Occupied Palestinian Territories formed a major part of the consultations that were elaborated in the plan, especially with regards to the readiness to provide the required social, humanitarian, and health services as soon as possible.
She expressed her hope for the immediate cessation of the brutal aggression on the Gaza Strip and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories. Abu Ghazaleh stated that persons with disabilities, the elderly, and youth, in addition to policies aimed at eradicating multidimensional poverty and issues related to family, childhood, and health, represent the priorities of the action plan through the implementation of a number of specialized programs.
The action plan focuses on strengthening the efforts of Arab countries to implement international charters and treaties related to population policies and the Sustainable Development Plan 2030, focusing on youth policies and other policies related to the empowerment of women. The action plan comes within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed with the regional office of the fund.
For her part, Al-Bakr praised the partnership between the United Nations Fund and the Arab League, stressing that the action plan is the starting point for enhancing cooperation between the two sides. She pointed out that population issues have become an existential issue in all Arab countries, especially Palestine, Yemen, and other countries, expressing pride in integrating population and development issues as part of the work of the specialized Arab ministerial councils.
Joint Gulf work
In another development, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi discussed with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani joint on Gulf work and efforts to meet the aspirations of gulf leaders and their people. These were expressed during a meeting between the two in the capital of Doha, reported the General Secretariat. The meeting handled discussions of tabled items to be discussed during the ministerial council session, including regional and international issues. Al-Budaiwi also took the time to hail the Qatari role, its presidency during this current session, and its contributions to the secretariat.