Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance, Talal Al-Namsh, stressed today, Monday, the importance of holding the extraordinary session of the Economic and Social Council at the ministerial level to prepare for the upcoming Arab Summit and the Economic and Social Development Summit scheduled to take place in Baghdad next May.

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) during his participation in the Council’s meetings, Al-Namsh said that the session was held to review and draft the economic and social file, which will be included in the agenda of the 34th Ordinary Arab Summit, as well as the draft agenda for the 5th Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, both set to be held concurrently in Baghdad.

He added that the meeting approved merging the topics originally listed in the economic and social file of the 34th Summit into the draft agenda of the 5th Arab Economic and Social Development Summit.

Al-Namsh explained that participants were briefed on the agenda items for the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit and agreed to submit them to the preparatory meetings of the Economic and Social Council for the summit.

He noted that the proposed agenda for the two upcoming summits includes several developmental, economic, and social initiatives and projects, most notably the Secretary-General’s report on joint Arab economic and social development efforts and progress in completing the requirements of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area.

He pointed out that the agenda also includes an item on establishing the Arab Customs Union and the initiative of Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani on the "blue economy" as a means to address food and energy challenges in the Arab world, in addition to the implementation plan for the Arab Water Security Strategy in the Arab region to meet future challenges and sustainable development requirements (2030).

Al-Namsh also highlighted the initiative of the Arab League Secretary-General on artificial intelligence, which was included in the draft agenda, along with an item on the Arab Food Security Strategy for 2025-2035.

He affirmed Kuwait’s hope that the decisions issued by the Ordinary Arab Summit and the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit will contribute to strengthening joint Arab economic and social cooperation.