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President-elect Donald Trump nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to be US surgeon general
He also nominated Dr. Marty Makary as head of the US Food and Drug Administration
President-elect Donald Trump has named two Arab Americans to serve in his Cabinet once he is sworn into office in January.
Trump nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to be US surgeon general and Dr. Marty Makary as head of the US Food and Drug Administration.
The appointments were applauded by Dr. Bishara Bahbah, chairman of Arab Americans for Trump, who helped the former president to win nearly half of the Arab American vote in the Nov. 5 election against US Vice President Kamala Harris.
“We are delighted with President Trump’s nomination of the first two Arab Americans to be part of his administration,” Bahbah said in a message to Arab News on Saturday.
“This is a testament to the hard work of Arab Americans for Trump and recognition of President Donald J. Trump of the role Arab Americans played in his election as the 47th president of the United States. AAFT looks forward to additional Arab American appointments in President Trump’s administration, particularly in the political field.”
Dr. Makary is a British American surgeon of Lebanese background. He is a public policy researcher at Johns Hopkins University serving as a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a professor, by courtesy, at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.
His current research focuses on the underlying causes of disease, public policy, health care costs, and relationship-based medicine. Dr. Makary previously served in leadership at the World Health Organization patient safety program and has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
Clinically, Dr. Makary is the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery at Johns Hopkins. He is the recipient of the Nobility in Science Award from the National Pancreas Foundation and has been a visiting professor at more than 25 medical schools. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific articles and has served on several editorial boards. He is the author of two New York Times bestselling books, “Unaccountable” and “The Price We Pay.”
Dr. Makary is also an anti-vaxxer who refused vaccination for COVID-19, a view shared by many of President-elect Trump’s conservative and Republican supporters.
Dr. Nesheiwat is a double board-certified medical doctor described on her website as “bringing a refreshingly no-nonsense attitude to the latest medical news, breaking down everything you need to know to keep you — and your family — healthy at all times.” She is also the author of “Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine.”
A graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, UAMS, Dr. Nesheiwat has been “shaped by her faith and her upbringing.”
Born in Carmel, New York, she is the daughter of Christian Jordanian immigrants and one of five children raised by her widowed mother, Hayat Nesheiwat. Her siblings are Julia Nesheiwat, Jaclyn Stapp, Dina Nesheiwat and Daniel Nesheiwat.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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President-elect Donald Trump nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to be US surgeon general . (AP)
Saudi crown prince calls for Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
An extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit kicked off in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday to discuss Israel’s ongoing wars in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
“We reiterate our rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an opening speech at the summit.
He stressed the need to continue efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state on the lands of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The crown prince also condemned Israeli attempts to prevent the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from delivering aid to Gaza.
Bin Salman said that his country rejects any threat to the security and sovereignty of Lebanon.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, for his part, called on the Arab and Islamic countries to show the highest levels of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
He also demanded the implementation of a UN resolution to halt Israeli assaults on Gaza and to secure the delivery of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
More than 50 leaders of Arab and Islamic countries are taking part in the summit, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The United Arab Emirates won the presidency of the Arab Parliament during the procedural session of the fourth legislative term held today, Saturday, at the headquarters of the Arab League in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, where His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, a member of the Federal National Council, was elected as President of the Arab Parliament.
The UAE assumed the presidency of the Arab Parliament, represented by the Parliamentary Division of the Federal National Council, for two consecutive terms during the years from 2012 to 2016, in appreciation of the effective role played by the UAE’s parliamentary diplomacy and its contributions to the activities and work of the Arab Parliament since its establishment.
His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, Member of the Federal National Council, in a statement following his victory, praised the great support provided by the wise leadership headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and his brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to the sons of the Emirates, and pushing them forward to decision-making positions in Arab, regional and international organizations and institutions, stressing that it is an achievement added to the continuous achievements made by the sons of the Emirates under the wise leadership.
He expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council and the members of the Council, for supporting his candidacy for the presidency of the Arab Parliament, and to Their Excellencies the representatives of the Arab countries in the Arab Parliament for their great confidence and their election of him as President of the Arab Parliament, stressing his pledge, in this new phase, during which the Arab Parliament continues its journey in serving Arab issues, to work to strengthen joint Arab action at all levels.
The procedural session was attended by members of the Parliamentary Division Group, including His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, Head of the Group, Naema Abdullah Al Sharhan, Vice-Head of the Group, Majid Mohammed Al Mazrouei, and Mohammed Hassan Al Dhahouri, members of the Federal National Council.
The Parliamentary Division of the Federal National Council achieved many accomplishments during its participation in the work and activities of the Arab Parliament, which was established by a decision of the Arab League Council at the summit level on a temporary basis in 2005 and became permanent in 2012, embodying the approach of the UAE and contributing to strengthening its principles and objectives to be an effective partner in formulating the joint Arab policy.
At the level of the activity of the parliamentary division of the Federal National Council, in 2020 it won the position of Vice President of the Arab Parliament, and the members of the UAE Parliamentary Division headed the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, and the Social, Educational, Cultural, Women and Youth Affairs Committee.
Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates”, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the Federal National Council, in cooperation with the Arab Parliament, organized a symposium in October 2019 to launch the Arab Document on Women’s Rights, which focused on two main axes: “Mother of the Emirates… the main enabler of Arab women” and “Arab women and the role of parliaments in shaping the future.”
The UAE Parliamentary Division played an active role through its membership in the Arab Parliament in presenting many parliamentary projects, proposals and studies, most notably amending the internal regulations of the Arab Parliament, establishing the Arab Parliamentary Medal Award for Parliamentary Excellence, in addition to proposals on topics discussed by the permanent and temporary committees in the Arab Parliament.
It is noteworthy that His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi has been a member of the Federal National Council since 2015 from the current sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth legislative terms. Through his membership in the UAE Parliamentary Division Group in the Arab Parliament, he participated in the work of the Arab Parliament and the meetings of its permanent committees. He won the position of Vice President of the Arab Parliament in the first and second sessions of the third legislative term of the Arab Parliament during the period 2020-2022 AD.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, announced the completion of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, consisting of 127 volumes, in a unique achievement for the Arab and Islamic nation, which is added to the series of achievements of Sharjah, under His Highness’s leadership, in various fields of culture, literature and the Arabic language.
This came during His Highness’s attendance today at the launch of the activities of the Second Sharjah International Conference on Arabic Language Studies in Europe, which is organized by the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, at the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi House.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah welcomed the conference guests from various European countries, including scholars and students, pointing out the overwhelming joy of completing all the volumes of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language, saying, “Your presence on this day, which coincides with the completion of the dictionary, is a joy and delight and the reaping of fruits. It is a happy occasion. This dictionary took seven years and was scientifically researched by 500 researchers and approximately 200 proofreaders, reviewers, printers, administrators and technicians.”
His Highness added that the scientific and research team of the Historical Dictionary will continue to work diligently with the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah to complete research and reference work for the benefit of the Arabic language, as work will begin on the Arabic Encyclopedia, which will cover all literary and scientific branches, and will become the first reference for all people.
At the end of his speech, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah pointed out the continuation of efforts to establish more cultural centres that play an important role in spreading support for Arabic culture and language and their valuable projects.
The conference was opened with the recitation of clear verses from the Holy Quran, after which Dr. Mohamed Safi Mosteghanemi, Secretary General of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the presence and honor of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah at the conference in its second edition, pointing to His Highness’s great support and personal interest in the Arabic language in terms of learning, teaching, publishing, literature and culture. He also welcomed the participating guests of the conference from various European countries and their great contributions to supporting the Arabic language in their countries.
Al-Mostaghanemi discussed the importance of joint cooperation between all scholars, researchers and orientalists to research and care for the Arabic language, pointing out the importance of the Arab Studies Conference in Europe in achieving many goals for the development of the dissemination and learning of the Arabic language in many European countries and in achieving research goals therein and discussing challenges and finding solutions.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the attendees watched a visual presentation about the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, its vision, mission and objectives in the fields of publishing, developing and supporting the Arabic language, its research and studies, in addition to the publications and educational courses it supervises and its efforts in honoring scholars and outstanding individuals in various branches of the Arabic language.
Dr. Laura Gago delivered a speech on behalf of the conference guests, in which she praised the efforts of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and what he provides to the Arabic language in general and in Europe in particular, and the support and interest that the Emirate of Sharjah represents for the Arabic language, which has made it a destination for lovers and students of the Arabic language and its capital.
She noted the importance of the conference and its success at the international level, and the competition of scholars from different countries to participate in it, saying, “We came from every corner of Europe, from East to West, to talk about Arabic in the capital of Arabic in the modern era, because we know that Arabic is not a race, but rather Arabic, as the Prophet of Islam said, is the language, so whoever speaks Arabic is an Arab. The Arabic language sits on the throne of human languages, and if its people love it by nature, then the love of the Arabic language for us, who speak other languages, is a decision and a choice.”
She concluded her speech with thanks and appreciation to the Sharjah Academy of Arabic Language for organizing the conference and ensuring its success.
Dr. Dragana Djordjevic delivered a word of thanks and gratitude on behalf of the forum attendees to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for his support for the issues of the Arabic language and its teaching, especially in European countries, and for providing the opportunity for scholars and researchers to attend to study and come up with what contributes to supporting and spreading Arabic. She said, “In Sharjah, we feel that we are in our homes and among our people.”
At the end of the conference opening activities, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah honored the participating scientists and researchers.
The conference will be attended by a number of scholars and academics from Romania, Kazakhstan, Spain, Norway, Poland, Russia, Germany, Serbia, Croatia, Denmark, Turkey, France, Greece, and Italy. They will present various research papers that address the conference themes and the experiences and challenges of learning and teaching the Arabic language in their countries.
The conference seeks to research and discuss a number of topics, namely: Arab tales in the West: One Thousand and One Nights, Kalila and Dimna, Juha, and others, the Arabic language and contemporary technology, translation and cultural communication, the translation of the meanings of the Holy Qur’an into European languages: reality and prospects, the image of the Arab in travel literature and the books of European geographers, in addition to the topic of Arab manuscripts in Europe.
The conference aims to define the curricula and rules related to teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, reveal the linguistic, social and human heritage of nations, advance to acquire terms and values that keep pace with contemporary scientific developments, focus on translation curricula and methods of communication between civilizations, care for interpretive readings of the meanings of the Holy Quran from the perspective of European languages, codify travel literature and the records of European geographers with Arabic and European edits, highlight the characteristics of Arabic manuscripts and their caches, in addition to employing global expertise and innovative methods in serving the Arabic language and spreading it in the countries of the European continent, and investing human energies, research skills, concepts and scientific theories to benefit from the linguistic heritage and the Arab knowledge treasure.
The second edition of the conference, which will continue for two days, September 21 and 22, will address several areas related to the Arabic language, namely: serious Arabic and human studies that embody the reality of the Arabic language in Europe, innovative research in learning and teaching the Arabic language, and practical experiences and live practices in the fields of the Arabic language and human studies.
The conference was attended by the Ruler of Sharjah, Dr. Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Holy Quran Academy in Sharjah, Jamal Salem Al Turaifi, President of Al Qasimia University, Abdullah Khalifa Al Sabousi, Chairman of the Department of Islamic Affairs, Ali Al Marri, Chairman of the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Foundation, Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, heads and representatives of Arabic language unions and academies, and a number of officials and specialists.
Often described as the rising star in the French political scene, French-Moroccan Karim Bouamrane stands as a strong candidate for the position of Prime Minister in France.
Born in 1973 to Moroccan immigrant parents, Karim Bouamrane, the current socialist mayor of Saint-Ouen, had an exceptional journey that is leading him to the position of Prime Minister, garnering admiration in France, Europe, and even the United States.
Bouamrane, the youngest in a family led by a mason, initially made his mark in politics with the Communist Party before joining the Socialist Party. After working in cybersecurity in Silicon Valley, he returned to France to become the mayor of Saint-Ouen in 2020, the city where he grew up, while also launching his own business.
He gained significant recognition during the Paris Olympics, hosting Brazilian athletes in Saint-Ouen. Known for his leftist values, he also emphasizes authority, security, and patriotism.
With a master’s degree in economics and European law, Bouamrane held a leadership role in a cybersecurity company at the dawn of the internet, which allowed him to travel extensively, including to the U.S. In 1995, he was elected to the Saint-Ouen municipal council and later became the Socialist Party’s spokesperson.
Dubbed the “Obama of the Seine” by the German newspaper Die Welt, Bouamrane is praised for his political acumen and impeccable style. His potential as a future Prime Minister is recognized by both allies and opponents, including a close associate of President Emmanuel Macron.
His reputation has even reached the U.S., with The New York Times highlighting his inspiring story as the son of an illiterate Moroccan immigrant who worked on construction sites in Paris.
Supported by influential figures like former Minister Jean-Louis Borloo and banker Matthieu Pigasse, Bouamrane is seen as a transformative leader. His name is frequently mentioned in discussions about future Prime Ministers, reflecting his growing influence and the possibility of making history as a prominent political leader in France.
Mayor of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, Karim Bouamrane poses during a photo session in his office in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, northern surburb of Paris, on February 15, 2024. Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, suburban city of Paris will be one of the host cities for the Paris 2024 Olympics. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)
The League of Arab States has hailed the achievements and contributions of Emirati women at the national level, calling them a role model in the Arab world.
Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of Social Affairs sector at League of Arab state, congratulated the UAE leadership, government and people on Emirati Women’s Day, which is a source of pride for Arabs due to the prominent position achieved by the UAE women at the Arab, regional and international levels.
In her statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Abu Ghazaleh praised the efforts of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (The Mother of the Nation), Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (SCMC), and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), to enhance the status of Emirati women in all fields for more than 5 decades and commended the great achievements of the General Women’s Union under her leadership, making Emirati women an honorable model for Arab women.
She added that the assumption of important and influential positions by Emirati women reflects their pioneering role in society and makes them a bright sign in the Arab world, noting that the achievements of Emirati women represent a strong push towards further progress and excellence at all levels.
Dr. Abu Ghazaleh wished Emirati women further success and prosperity and expressed her aspiration for women in the UAE and the Arab world to witness more progress and active participation in building societies.
The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Interior, participated in the United Nations Summit of Chiefs of Police (2024), as the sponsoring country of the summit, which was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA, on June 26 and 27, as part of its consistent approach and active participation. In strengthening global efforts to enhance security and stability for peoples, and to maintain peace in various regions of the world.
The summit is the largest gathering of ministers, police chiefs and senior representatives of regional police organizations in the world, and a regular event held every two years in the presence of police chiefs from member states to participate and hold bilateral talks, with the aim of promoting peace, security and international development for all, and raising levels of cooperation in the police and security field among member states. .
At the beginning of his speech, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, expressed his thanks to the UAE for sponsoring the UNCOPS 2024 Summit, as the UAE has contributed to many activities related to the United Nations Police, including hosting a number of conferences to evaluate the performance of United Nations Police Chiefs over the past two years in Abu Dhabi, which has enhanced the country’s contribution and role in strengthening dialogues with international organizations and raising police competencies.
The UAE also hosted a number of training courses to raise the capabilities of United Nations police personnel, and courses to raise the leadership of the female component of the United Nations Police, in addition to accrediting an elite group of Ministry of Interior officers to be certified trainers in various positions with the United Nations Police.
The Ministry of Interior participated in a number of periodic field visits to United Nations peacekeeping missions, including: United Nations missions in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic.
The delegation of the Ministry of Interior delivered a state speech during the summit, stressing the keenness of the UAE Ministry of Interior with the vision and support of the wise leadership to continue cooperation with all countries of the world and international organizations and institutions, especially in the security and police fields with the aim of combating crime of all kinds. It also valued the strategic partnership with the United Nations Police and the efforts It is making efforts in the Global Initiative for Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), where the UAE’s harmonious policy, the foundations of which were laid by the late founder of the state, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, played a decisive role in resolving many international and regional issues. The Emirati empowerment and construction process continued with the vision, support and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him.”
The delegation stressed the Ministry of Interior’s continued participation in international and regional efforts to establish international security and stability, wishing success and success to the participants in the work of this summit, which will provide a decent life full of prosperity and well-being for all our peoples.
– Guardians of the Earth.
On the sidelines of the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2024), the International Law Enforcement Initiative for Climate (I2LEC) hosted a panel discussion entitled “Guardians of the Earth: Global Law Enforcement Strategies to Protect the Environment,” in the presence of representatives from the global law enforcement community, with the aim of enhancing awareness of the impact Increase the positive impact of policing on environmental crimes and climate change, showcase best practices and share valuable lessons learned to benefit the global law enforcement community, and promote international cooperation to develop global law enforcement strategies for environmental protection.
The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue is hosting a global dialogue forum in Lisbon, Portugal, from May 14 to May 16, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Themed “Transformative Dialogue: Building Alliances for Peace in a Changing World,” this event marks a significant milestone in the center’s decade-long commitment to fostering global change and peace.
Bringing together influential leaders from decision-making institutions, the forum offers an opportunity to forge partnerships addressing today’s complex challenges, the SPA reported.
It serves as a platform for global political figures, intellectual leaders and clerics to tackle issues of peaceful coexistence and sustainable development amid rapid transformations.
Attendees include former French president, Francois Hollande; Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah; Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the archbishop of Constantinople; Matteo Renzi, former Italian prime minister; and former president of Austria, Heinz Fischer.
Exploring dialogue’s transformative potential, the forum aims to advance human rights, social cohesion, reconciliation and environmental cooperation in line with the center’s mission, the SPA said.
By fostering cooperation among nations, international institutions and civil society, the forum seeks to build understanding between cultures and religions.
With participation from prominent figures across various fields, this forum holds significant potential to shape policies and priorities for peaceful coexistence and societal advancement, the SPA reported.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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The Lisbon forum marks a significant milestone in the center’s decade-long commitment to fostering global change and peace. (X: @KAICIID)
The 3rd session of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan concluded its proceedings today in Doha, with the issuance of the Doha Declaration emphasizing the importance of historical, religious, and cultural relations and ties between Arab countries, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan.
The Doha Declaration, released at the conclusion of the forum, stressed the necessity of enhancing economic cooperation prospects and potential between Arab countries, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan, including vast natural resources and promising investment opportunities in energy, mining, petrochemical industries, tourism, and more.
Participants in the forum highlighted the importance of encouraging the completion and enhancement of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two sides, leveraging vast potential in various economic sectors, and supporting the development of a comprehensive strategic program as a roadmap for the coming decade regarding practical implementation and resource mobilization for the Islamic Infrastructure Initiative.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Commerce, and Economy, as well as delegation heads from participating countries and governments at the forum, recalled the outcomes of the second session of the forum held in Tajikistan in 2017, emphasizing the importance of developing cooperative mechanisms within the forum across all fields to serve the common interests between Arab countries, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan.
They called for a focus on cooperation between the Arab League, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan without duplication of efforts in various forms of cooperation, emphasizing the need to support political consensus solutions to crises facing some countries in the Arab region through encouraging comprehensive dialogue and national reconciliation, rejecting any interference in the internal affairs of states, and committing to respecting their sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity in accordance with the charter and principles of the United Nations and international law.
The Doha Declaration condemned ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, resulting in more than 100,000 martyrs and wounded, mostly women and children, decrying the subjection of the Palestinian people to famine, deadly siege, obstruction of relief aid flow, and the severing of all means of life in Gaza. It also condemned the systematic destruction of residential neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, universities, mosques, churches, and infrastructure in the sector, as well as the detention and torture of thousands of Palestinian prisoners, underlining the hate speech, racism, and incitement adopted by the Israeli occupation government.
Furthermore, the Doha Declaration warned against Israel’s continued implementation of plans for the forcible displacement of the Palestinian people from their land, which would lead to the collapse of peace prospects in the Middle East and exacerbate conflict in the region, urging the Security Council to adopt a binding resolution to halt Israeli aggression and prevent the forced displacement of Palestinians, ensure the flow of relief aid to the entire Gaza Strip, implement provisional measures outlined in the International Court of Justice ruling, and restore life to its normal state in the sector. The forum participants also condemned the systematic Israeli occupation campaigns against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), calling on all countries to support the agency’s efforts. They also condemned the occupation government’s continued settlement plans aimed at changing the historical and legal status quo in the occupied Palestinian territories and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, the latest being the occupation government’s approval of building approximately 3,500 new settlement units in the West Bank.
The Doha Declaration affirmed support for joint efforts by Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire and restoring life to normal in the Gaza Strip, as well as supporting Algerian and Egyptian efforts to achieve the desired reconciliation among Palestinian factions, commending in this regard Algeria’s role as an Arab member of the United Nations Security Council in supporting the Palestinian cause.
At the conclusion of the third session of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with Central Asian Countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Doha Declaration underscored the full solidarity with Lebanon amid the most severe political, economic and social crisis the country has been grappling with in decades, affirming support for the constitutional institutions to safeguard the Lebanese national unity, as well as the security, stability and the territorial integrity of Lebanon.
The declaration condemned the unceasing Israeli offensive on south Lebanon that resulted in the martyrdom of civilians from children, women, elderly, journalists, and paramedics, in addition to targeting the centers of the Lebanese Army and spilling over into the depth of the Lebanese territories, including agricultural lands, during which the internationally banned white phosphorus has been used.
The declaration called for the importance of ramping up international pressure to prevent the declared Israeli plans to launch a large-scale war on Lebanon, force the Israeli entity to end its occupation of Lebanese lands and stop its land, sea, and air violations of the sovereignty of Lebanese lands.
In addition, the declaration called for adherence to the preservation of Syria’s sovereignty, unity and stability and rejecting foreign interference and any illegal military presence on its territory, condemning the attacks unleashed by the Israeli occupation on its territory, stressing the importance of the Arab role in supporting the efforts made to resolve the Syrian crisis.
As to the Libyan issue, the participants affirmed their commitment to the unity and sovereignty of the State of Libya and the integrity of its territories and supporting the path of comprehensive national reconciliation.
Regarding the situation in Yemen, they called for the resumption of political consultations to reach a comprehensive political solution, in accordance with the three terms of reference represented by the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanisms, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The declaration stressed the sovereignty, unity and independence of Sudan and the importance of preserving its national institutions, primarily the Sudanese Armed Forces, underscoring the importance of intensifying the international efforts aimed at achieving peace and stopping the ongoing war that has caused humanitarian catastrophe and forced displacement of millions of residents from their cities and villages.
It also emphasized the importance of cooperation between the League of Arab States, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations so as to build a comprehensive peace process, and to support the initiatives of the co-facilitators of the Jeddah talks and the Sudanese neighboring countries initiative, which aim to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire. Also, the declaration affirmed support for the security, stability, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and the Somali government in its efforts dedicated to safeguarding its sovereignty on land, sea, and air, noting its right to legitimate defense of its lands.
Regarding the three UAE islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, the Doha Declaration affirmed support for all peaceful efforts, including the initiative and endeavors of the UAE to reach a peaceful solution, in accordance with the principles of international law and the United Nations charter, either through Bilateral negotiations or resorting to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), stressing the need for cooperative relationships between Arab countries and the Islamic Republic of Iran to be based on the principle of good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the principle of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and resolve disputes by peaceful means, as per principles of the United Nations Charter. international law and refraining from the use or threat of force.
In regard to the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the declaration emphasized the support for the normalization of relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual recognition and respect and preservation of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of each other’s borders, noting that accelerating the establishment of relations between the two countries will achieve regional stability and security, paving the way for realizing the full potential of cooperation in the region.
The participants condemned terrorism in its all manifestations and motives, underscoring the importance of counter-terrorism operations, uprooting its roots, and drying up its sources, and rejected linking terrorism to any race, religion, nationality, or civilization. They also emphasized the importance of respecting the rules and principles of international law governing the exploitation of transboundary rivers, so as to not cause profound harm and the principle of prior notification. Also, they affirmed their full support for Egyptian and Sudanese water security, calling on Ethiopia to refrain from any unilateral measures that would potentially cause harm to the interests and rights of 160 million people of the countries downstream of the Nile River.
The Doha Declaration praised the UAE’s membership in the UN Security Council for the period 2022-2023. It also welcomed the election of Algeria as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the period 2024-2025 and expressed its support for naming Bahrain as a non-permanent member in the Security Council for the period 2026-2027, and the Kyrgyzstan as a non-permanent member. Also, they supported the nomination of Tajikistan as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the period 2028-2029, calling for coordination between the Arab members of the Security Council, the countries of Central Asia, and the Republic of Azerbaijan to serve the common interests, in accordance with the Arab League and United Nations charters.
The declaration welcomed Azerbaijan’s presidency of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) for the period from 2024 to 2026, expressing its support for strengthening cooperation between the CICA and the Arab League through implementing joint projects and engaging in relevant events organized by each of them.
The Doha Declaration renewed emphasis on supporting all efforts aimed at nuclear disarmament and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, without prejudice to the inalienable right of states parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, calling on all countries who are not signatories to the treaty to quickly join it.
In this regard, the declaration condemned the Israeli entity’s recent blatant and unprecedented threats to annihilate the Palestinian people using nuclear weapons, stressing the need for the Israeli entity to join the NPT and subject all its facilities to Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements. It also affirmed the need for the establishment of a Middle East Zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
The declaration welcomed the Marrakesh Declaration on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) issued last January, which urged the need to intensify regional efforts to combat weapons of mass destruction by enhancing the exchange of expertise and best practices among the countries under this initiative.
It also welcomed the initiatives by Central Asia countries within the framework of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (CANWFZ) treaty, calling on the nuclear-weapon states that have not ratified the Protocol to the CANWFZ Treaty to expedite ratification to bring the Protocol into force as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the attendees expressed their desire to enhance cooperation in the field of health care and combat various risks threatening humanity. They renewed their support for Afghanistan to achieve peace and stability, stressing the need to address the challenges facing the Afghan people. They also expressed their deep concern about the indiscriminate use of landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices that threaten peace, security and stability and hinder development efforts.
The declaration stressed the importance of cooperation between Arab League member states, the countries of Central Asia, and Azerbaijan to enhance cybersecurity, including cooperation to prevent the use of infrastructure in countries by groups or individuals against other countries. It welcomed cooperation in implementing programs related to cybersecurity, which contributes to protecting data and praised Saudi Arabia’s launch of the Global Cybersecurity Forum, with the aim of contributing to enhancing cybersecurity at the international level.
The declaration noted the increasing economic cooperation between the Arab League member states, the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, calling for benefiting from the enormous potential of the two sides in various economic fields, stressing the importance of developing cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals and objectives related to water resources and the re-use of water in industrial and oil sectors to reduce the demand for fresh water. It also called for enhancing cooperation in the food security and agriculture sectors and benefit from countries’ experiences in using modern agricultural technologies and smart irrigation programs.
The Doha Declaration called for the importance of confronting the challenge of water scarcity, especially in arid countries, which has increased over recent decades with continued population growth, becoming a global challenge exacerbated by climate change. In this regard, it stressed the importance of cross-border water cooperation based on respect for the rules and principles of international law governing the exploitation of cross-border rivers.
Highlighting the links between water and climate, the Declaration expressed concerns about the accelerating melting of glaciers in the Central Asian region and welcomed the establishment of a trust fund to support activities aimed at preserving glaciers, as well as Tajikistan’s offer to hold an international conference dedicated to glacier conservation next year.
The declaration also called for work to strengthen and develop the land, sea, air and railway transport sectors between the member states of the Arab League, the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan with the aim of increasing ties and facilitating access to each other’s markets, stressing the importance of cooperation within the scope of regional projects that aim to advance regional cooperation and increase interconnection in the field of transportation. It also called for robust cooperation between Arab countries, the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in the fields of tourism, housing, reconstruction and sustainable urban development.
The participants congratulated the UAE on its success in hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) last year, welcoming the election of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the COP29 during the period from Nov. 11 to 22.
They stressed the importance of implementing the triennial Resolution on Sustainable Mountain Development adopted at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which aims to strengthen international cooperation to support sustainable mountain development. In this regard, the attendees welcomed Kyrgyzstan’s intention to host the Second Global Mountain Summit in 2027. They also emphasized the importance of Arab cooperation with the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in strengthening efforts to stop land degradation, restore degraded lands, increase the ability of the ecosystem and local communities to confront drought, and exchange experiences, research and studies to reduce its negative effects on human life and development.
The Doha Declaration called for facilitating private sector participation in investment and trade activities between Arab countries, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan, and to remove obstacles hindering their operations.
The declaration urged investment promotion institutions, chambers of commerce, business associations, and organizations representing entrepreneurs in those countries to promote all investment activities between the two sides, and to work on developing mechanisms for settling trade and cash transactions between them using national currencies.
Forum participants welcomed the upcoming investment forum between GCC and Central Asian countries in Kyrgyzstan at the end of July, as well as Kazakhstan’s proposal to hold a discussion session on investment and economic cooperation between Central Asia and GCC countries within the framework of the next Astana International Forum.
The declaration encouraged Arab countries, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan to coordinate positions in international and trade forums and cooperate with other international parties to contribute to decision-making at the international economic level, in a way that serves common interests, enhances trade exchange, promotes investment, and establishes strong and effective partnerships between the two sides.
It emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in environmental preservation and climate change issues, especially within the framework of the green economy, utilizing all types of energy sources, technologies, and solutions, including hydrocarbon emission management technologies, and cooperation in green hydrogen production, which remains an important option for achieving environmental sustainability goals, reducing emissions, and ensuring a greener and safer world for all.
The declaration welcomed cooperation on various topics such as artificial intelligence applications, technological infrastructure development, digital transformation, and their impact on digital economy growth, as well as developing internet networks and interconnections at national and regional levels to reduce the digital divide.
Participants in the forum reiterated the importance of reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) through a transparent and comprehensive process led by its members, aimed at strengthening the multilateral trading system and consolidating the fundamental principles upon which the organization is based, as the international forum responsible for developing and enforcing multilateral trade rules. They also highlighted the Rabat Declaration issued by the high-level ministerial conference on middle-income countries held in February, calling for a qualitative leap in international cooperation on development for the benefit of middle-income countries.
They called for adopting activities that reflect the role of Arab countries, Central Asian countries, and Azerbaijan in promoting a culture of tolerance and coexistence, rejecting terrorism and extremism, addressing the root causes thereof, promoting dialogue between civilizations, and committing to the values of justice, peace, human rights. In this regard, they condemned all forms of hate speech and attacks on the beliefs and religious rituals of nations and peoples.
The Doha Declaration, issued at the conclusion of the third session of the Arab-Central Asia and Azerbaijan Economic Cooperation Forum, acknowledged Qatar’s efforts in organizing the forum and the hospitality extended to the participating delegations, which contributed to the success of this session. (QNA)
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) appointed HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Dr. Mutlaq bin Majid Al Qahtani as a member of the Court.
Based in The Hague, the PCA is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to serving the international community in resolving disputes by peaceful means.
It was first established in 1899 during the first Hague Peace Conference, making it the oldest international institution for settling international disputes.
