In pics: 31st Arab Summit kicks off in Algeria

CAIRO – 1 November 2022: The 31st Arab Summit kicked off in Algeria with the participation of several leaders and presidents along with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki.

 

The inaugural session began with a speech for the Tunisian President Kais Saied who handed over the presidency of the 31st Arab Summit to the Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Other speeches were given during the session that was attended by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, including a speech by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul Gheit.

The UN Secretary-General also highlighted during his speech the importance of the upcoming COP27 summit hosted in Egypt.

 

He said that the awaited COP27 summit in Sharm El Sheikh represents a good opportunity for discussions between countries on the impacts of climate change

Guterres also affirmed that UN stance regarding Palestine is ‘clear’, and that he supports the two-state solution to achieve peace.

 

The agenda of the two-day event will tackle the Palestinian cause, supporting Lebanon, Somalia, and the Comoros, developments of the situation in Libya, Yemen, and Syria, the Turkish violations of Iraq's sovereignty, combating terrorism and Iran’s interference in Arab domestic affairs, as well the protection of Arab national security, strengthening joint Arab action, regional and international conditions and challenges in addition to the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis on the Arab world and boosting intra-Arab cooperation.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi headed Tuesday to Algeria to attend the 31st Arab Summit taking place on November 1-2.

 

The presidency's spokesperson pointed out that the president's participation is in the framework of strengthening ties and cooperation with neighboring Arab states, and Egypt's eagerness for brokering joint cooperation among Arab states.

 

The spokesperson pointed out that the summit's focus will be bolstering efforts aimed at preserving regional security and stability, pushing forward Arab interests, and mitigating the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War.

The president is scheduled to hold a number of bilateral meetings with fellow Arab leaders on the sidelines of the summit to hold consultations and exchange views on regional and international levels. 

 

The summit is the first in two years, and will cover the Palestinian Cause, Arab-European and Arab-African relations, economic affairs, investment, and intra-Arab trade exchange.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry flew to Algeria on Friday to take part in meetings of the Arab League (AL) council, preceding the summit.

The Arab leaders are expected to discuss the promulgation of a number of decisions pertinent to settling disputes, restoring peace, and bringing about stability and development for the Arab nations.