Secretary-General of the League of Arab States: the Arab world needs a real pause with itself regarding low levels of education and deterioration

The general secretary of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, delivered a speech at the opening session of the fourth summit on Arab economic and social development:
I am pleased and have the privilege of meeting today in the Republic of Lebanon to inaugurate the fourth session of the Arab economic and social summit. On this occasion, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to you, Mr President, and to your dear country to take over the presidency of the fourth session of the Summit. I wish you success and good luck.
I am also pleased to extend my thanks and appreciation to the Custody of the two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for presiding over the previous Summit session and for the good and wise management of his work.
Our summit takes place after an absence of six years and we have been occupied with the most difficult events, during which some of our countries have faced – and still are – the various types of security challenges, political unrest and humanitarian crises. These challenges, however serious and dangerous, remain an extension of the most serious challenge of achieving Complete development and response to crises and social problems that often accompany the process of growth and modernization. The facts that the Arab world has seen in its contemporary history that development, security and stability are all rings in a coherent system. There is no continuous development without the umbrella of Istiq Security and security, protected from adverse returns and jokes, and ensures continuity of its path without interruption .. And no real stability and sustainability without global growth affects all aspects of human life. And increase and improve quality.
In fact, the path to development has become known, although not in any way easy or accessible, others have taken away and have determinants and requirements. The first is, of course, achieve high rates of economic growth of at least 6 or 7% While there is a slight improvement in the rate of economic growth expected in the Arab region, which is 2.7% this & # 39; year, these rates are still insufficient to achieve the desired development boom, as well as continuity and continuity depend on the stability of the situation Political and security issues that some of our states and companies continue to pour The price for its absence during the past years.
Despite the considerable efforts made in recent years in terms of improving the economic situation, particularly in the infrastructure, transport and communications sectors, the Arab region is still far from launching its potential and achieving its aspirations: more than half of world exports of Arab oil products remains. There is still a need to diversify economies to protect them from the fluctuations associated with energy prices. There is also a need to improve the business environment, improve competitiveness and stimulate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship Yes , there is progress we all see on these levels. The region, with few exceptions, does not yet have sufficient economic activity with high productivity and added value and remains unprepared for engaging in the digital economy. – Future Economy – based on innovation and creativity.
The main gap that separates us from the developments of the world economy is basically human capital: knowledge and innovation, not production or services, are the largest generator of high added value in light of the acceleration of the phenomenon called the fourth industrial revolution with its various applications. The technological revolution will have to be our highest priority in the next phase and more efforts will be needed to narrow the digital divide with other regions of the world: more than half the population of the Arab world is not connected to the Internet. A .. If we do not improve the exploitation of this "demographic window" this mass youth will become a burden for the economies, but the engine of the disturbance, and probably a fertile environment for the various forms of religious and political extremism.
The desired growth is human and human, and can only be achieved by investing in human beings, education and health … food and clothing … culture and awareness … The key here is education, which is the factor principal in the construction and accumulation of human capital. The Arab world needs a real pause And the deterioration of education, the most serious is the growing gap between education and the labor market and the weak relationship between educational achievements and the demands of global growth.
If we talk about education and results, do not neglect the central role of the educational system – and the media – in the face of extremist thought and the construction of a true social conscience, rejecting extremism and extremism in all its manifestations and forms. We follow your efforts, Majesty and Excellencies and Height, With courage and spirit of historical responsibility to defend the future of this nation, which will be built only on a true awareness, a culture that accepts diversity and diversity, and a mind that communicates with The other, take and give, accept and reject … without the dialogue that leads to hate,.
The fact that 20% of the population of the Arab world lives in conditions that fall under the name of multidimensional poverty, measured not only by income indicators, but also by opportunities and educational opportunities. Health care and living conditions. It is true that Arab countries have achieved, in total, remarkable successes in reducing extreme poverty. However, a significant mass of the population in a number of Arab countries is still centered around. This year the Secretariat, in collaboration with the United Nations, to publish a comprehensive and verifiable report on the "Australian Framework" Arab strategies for the elimination of multidimensional poverty ", which includes a series of recommendations and ideas worthy of consideration and consideration.
In addition to the urgency of the social question, some of our countries have experienced crises that have caused waves of asylum and displaced people, but unfortunately the Arab world is home to about half of the refugees and displaced people in the world, just know that about 4 million children Syrians have left their schools because of the war Seven years ago, it is enough to follow the serious humanitarian crises both in Somalia and in Yemen … without forgetting the tragic reality that our people suffer in Palestine due to the Israeli occupation imposed by closure, siege and unfair practices. This is accomplishing the battle of development in many aspects of our Arab world. I do not live in natural conditions or in a favorable environment, but in difficult conditions and in a fragile environment.
The hope here is to show more solidarity and solidarity to support and support the societies sustained by these humanitarian crises, including Lebanon and Jordan, which have assumed a great responsibility for the Arab religion and the duty of humanity.
Challenges to sustainable development demand that Arab governments put their future into consideration: we must address difficult issues without delay or delay. Questions about providing food to over 360 million Arabs for the conservation of scarce Arab water resources. About 1% of the world's freshwater resources, how to develop them and ensure their sustainability Questions about managing the energy mix with greater reliance on renewable sources Questions about global Arab plans to tackle global uncertainties such as climate change and technological development that threaten traditional work. .
There is a point of light that deserves to be mentioned: the negotiation of the Great Arab Free Trade Area is about to reach its goal: about 95% of the detailed rules of origin have been completed and it is hoped that this economic system will integrated, including the liberalization of trade in services, since it is not acceptable that the interchange between our countries remains at their current rates, which do not exceed 12% of the total trade of the Arab countries, it is not acceptable that the Arab region remain the least global in terms of economic integration with all the possibilities offered by this integration Promote and contribute to the Arab economies OAA activities. The points on the agenda of the summit include a series of initiatives, projects and related programs to economic integration, and we do not see the hour of all these initiatives to find their way towards the implementation of the steps that will take us there cini for the Arab economic integration.
That said, I wish all the best for the work of this important summit: I can only conclude that our people throughout the Arab world are seeking stability away from the evils of turbulence and a complete renaissance that brings them to the times with its subsequent developments. . They do not see the time comes when they see their children live better than those in which they lived. They are healthier, more educated and more powerful … and I think our country is able to recover. Road to go. "