AMMAN — Jordan on Thursday took part in the 117th ordinary session of the Arab League Economic and Social Council (ESC), held at the Arab League Secretariat in Cairo.

 

The Jordanian delegation was led by Ambassador Amjad Adailah, Jordan’s permanent representative to the Arab League. The session was chaired by Algeria, the current president of the ESC, and followed preparatory meetings at the senior officials’ level, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

During the session, the ministerial council approved Jordan’s proposal for the Arab Network for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), commending the initiative as a step toward enhancing Arab economic cooperation, promoting integration among member states, and strengthening connections between entrepreneurs and SMEs across the region.

 

The council also discussed Jordan’s initiative to develop the first interactive Arabic glossary of sustainability and circular-economy terms, aimed at advancing economic knowledge in the Arab world and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging sustainable sectors.

 

The Jordanian delegation provided inputs and observations to build consensus among Arab states on economic and social cooperation issues, contributing to the council’s goals under the Arab League framework.

 

Key topics on the session’s agenda included the humanitarian and economic challenges in unstable Arab countries, particularly Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia.

 

Other discussions focused on the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, developments in the Arab Customs Union, investment as a driver of economic growth, and the establishment of the Arab Ministerial Council for Artificial Intelligence. Delegates also examined AI’s potential impact on labour markets, support for developmental needs and infrastructure projects in Yemen, assistance to Palestinian Airlines, capacity-building for Sudanese human resources, and the launch of the Arab Population Excellence Award.

 

The Jordanian delegation included Economic Attaché Wafaa Jereis, Diplomatic Attaché Hussein Shibli, Assistant Economic Attaché Mohammad Abu Ragheb, and Rami -Qudah and Shaimaa Masarwa from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply’s Directorate of Foreign Trade Policies.

 

In his opening remarks, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crises in Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia.

 

He warned that over two million Palestinians in Gaza face dire conditions, while Sudan has experienced the longest modern educational disruption, with around 12 million children out of school for three consecutive years, with devastating implications for the country’s future.

 

Aboul Gheit also stressed that the global economy faces significant challenges amid rising protectionist policies and declining trust in international trade.

 

He underscored the Arab world’s comparative advantage in shared language and culture, which can be leveraged to build a cohesive system of mutual economic dependence.

 

He described artificial intelligence as a strategic opportunity that Arab countries must seize, calling for effective mechanisms to share expertise and best practices that serve Arab interests, preserve national constants, and address AI’s labour market challenges.

 

The secretary-general also highlighted the Arab 2045 Vision, adopted by the Arab Economic, Social, and Developmental Summit in Baghdad, which focuses on six pillars: security, justice, innovation, balanced development, diversity, and cultural and civilizational renewal.