Kuwait summit emphasizes Gaza reconstruction efforts, Palestinian national reconciliation

Kuwait Declaration calls for launching food security emergency program, customs union

Amr Moussa asserts importance of Saudi king's speech in laying the path for Arab conciliation

The Arab Economic, Development and Social summit was concluded in Kuwait, issuing a number of resolutions, topped by the call for durable stoppage of the Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and achievement of reconciliation among Palestinian major factions.

The Arab leaders called for reconstruction of Gaza Strip and improvement of its health services and enforcing measures to ward off the repercussions of the global financial crisis on Arab economies.

They also approved the Arab electrical linkage project, railway linkage system, the emergency Arab food security program, the customs union and water security strategy.

They called for executing the comprehensive program to support employment and curb unemployment in the Arab countries, reduce poverty and support the Arab Program for the implementation of the current Millennium Development Goals, the development of education, the improvement of health care, encourage the role of the private sector in supporting the common Arab action and the preparation for the forthcoming economic, development and social summit.

The resolutions included the reconstruction of Gaza Strip, the program of rehabilitation and reconstruction in coordination with the Palestinian National Authority in accordance with Arab and international mechanisms adopted to support the Palestinian people and the continuation to provide humanitarian assistance and relief to the people of the Gaza Strip, in addition to providing financial and technical support necessary for the rehabilitation of infrastructure, health services and improvement of living conditions of Gaza Strip's population, the authorization of the Council of Arab Ministers of Health to establish field hospitals, provide medical teams and health personnel capable of providing health care and medical services.

Concerning the global financial crisis, the Arab leaders vowed continued support for the Arab States and their national financial institutions, and strengthen control and supervision on them, call the Arab states to play more active role in international economic relations and to participate in international efforts to ensure the global financial stability in addition to increasing the coordination and coherence by the governors of Arab central banks and monetary institutions among the control bodies in Arab countries.

Moreover, they called for quickly completing the Arab electrical linkage project and removing all obstacles facing the project in action. They approved the launching the Arab railway network project in line with the plan placed by the Council of Arab Transport Ministers.

Furthermore, the Arab leaders decided to launch an emergency Arab food security program and assign the governments of the Arab states benefiting from the program's elements, to grant preferential benefits, especially for investment in the specific areas of the program and demand the Arab, regional and international institutions and development funds to contribute to providing the financial requirements necessary for the implementation of the program in addition to inviting the private sector to invest in the implementation of the program.

The meeting decided to replenish necessary measures to complete the customs union by 2015 to ultimately establish the Common Arab Market.

They authorized the Council of Arab Water Ministers to forge a strategy for water security in the Arab region to face challenges and requirements for sustainable development.

They designated 2010-2020 as the "Arab decade for employment and reducing poverty by half," and giving priority to developmental policies in the Arab states in order to boost employment rates, create jobs, curb unemployment, and improve living standards.

They called for implementing the Arab program for combating poverty and financing its programs for four years, while inviting Arab finance institutions to contribute to financing them.

With regard to the Arab Program to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, it was decided to implement them during the period from 2009 to 2015, with a focus on the least developed Arab countries and that it is incumbent on them to submit an annual report to the General Secretariat of the Arab League on the progress achieved in implementing the Millennium Development Goals and aid will be determined by the progress achieved.

On education, Arab leaders called for the execution of a plan to develop education in the Arab world between 2009 and 2019.

As for health, the leaders called on Arab governments to improve health care services, implement family care systems, and putting this on the agenda of Arab health ministries.

The leaders praised efforts of the private sector in supporting joint Arab action and invited it to continue contributing to Arab economic development.

They also called for activating the role of civil societies in the economic, social, and development fields and boosting partnership with Arab organizations and corporations to achieve the development, social, and economic goals.

As for the next Arab economic, development and social summit, the meeting welcomed Egypt's bid to host the forthcoming one, which will be held after two years.

The summit sent its sincere appreciation and immense gratitude to the State of Kuwait, its Emir, government and people for their warm reception and hospitality, encompassing all delegations participating in the Arab summit.

The closing session of Kuwait-hosted Arab socio-economic summit held on Tuesday night.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called for holding the coming Arab Economic, Social and Development Summit in Egypt.

In his speech before the Kuwait-hosted economic summit, Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, on behalf of President Mubarak, called for outlining a joint vision on means to face challenges besetting the Arab world.

Mubarak also stressed the necessity of outlining a clear-cut vision on joint Arab action in the economic and development fields with a view to achieving a real freedom of the movement of individuals, goods, services and capital among the Arab countries.

President Mubarak in his speech underlined the importance of outlining priorities for economic and social development that tally with the reality in the Arab countries.

He highlighted the importance of attaining more liberalization of the movement of the private sector and the NGOs to crossing the Arab countries' borders without restrictions and a proposal put forth by the Kuwaiti Emir on setting up a fund to finance the Arab private sector.

He asserted Egypt's support of the proposal for its importance in pushing forward the march of the private sector in the Arab countries.

President Mubarak further underscored the necessity of developing the Arab productive capabilities through establishing regional corporations and institutions that could cope up competitiveness at the international level.

President Mubarak proposed that the coming development summit be held in Egypt after two years.

For his part, Emir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said Tuesday the Arab Economic summit's resolutions were a "corner stone" in economic construction of Arab world, as well as purifying inter-Arab atmosphere "where bond is back in the Arab line."

Addressing the final session of the Arab Economic summit "In Solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza," Sheikh Sabah said the meeting paved the way for a "historic fraternal gathering ... (that) contributed in purifying the atmosphere where bond is back in the Arab line."

Sheikh Sabah hoped the Arab countries would build up on what was achieved by the summit, which adopted resolutions that would help in the economic construction and development of the Arab world.

The Kuwaiti Emir said the summit examined the "atrocious" Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza killing over 1,200 people and injuring more than 5,300 others.

He said the Israelis committed crimes against the Palestinians in Gaza Strip where "no rules, laws, or customs or international resolutions were considered." Noting that the whole world was united in condemning the massacre of the Jewish state in a way "uncovering its savage nature and placing its full responsibility on Israel," Sheikh Sabah said the Arab leaders attached utmost priority to the Israeli offensive.

Sheikh Sabah, meanwhile, said the Arab summiteers agreed to help the Gazans recover from the effects of the Israeli invasion, and help the Palestinian factions reconcile "believing in the unity of destination and embodying the Arab consolidating spirit." He said supporting the Palestinians in Gaza to rebuild the strip within an international collective responsibility.

"What we have agreed upon is considered a step towards eliminating the impacts of that aggression, an access to achieve peace and a support of the various objectives that aim at stabilizing ceasefire and ending the invasion, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Strip, lifting the siege off Gaza, and opening the crossings, and enhancing efforts of the donors' countries in order to reconstruct what the Israeli military machine has demolished in Gaza, " said Sheikh Sabah.

He said Kuwait hoped an international meeting of donors' countries, due in Sharm El-Sheikh next month, would help in the reconstruction of Gaza.

Sheikh Sabah, at the opening session, announced a USD 34 million donation to meet immediate needs of UNRWA in occupied Palestinian territories.

Sheikh Sabah, on the other hand, said the Arab Economic summit, has endorsed resolutions that would be a "corner stone" in the economic construction and the developmental landmark of the Arab world.

The resolutions represent "a favorable opportunity for the private sector to contribute in implementing those projects and developmental programs," said the Kuwaiti Emir.

Sheikh Sabah also emphasized that the resolutions needed to be translated into reality to achieve the development objectives.

"We are determined ... and are required to follow-up those projects and resolutions with all the concerned institutions within a new mechanism to find its way towards actual implementation, and the Arab citizen reap its fruit," he asserted.

In his word before the summit, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman said that during the summit meetings, Arab leaders discussed means to help people in the Gaza Strip, lift the siege imposed on them and offer them urgent relief aid.

Suleiman also voiced appreciation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah's efforts to achieve Arab solidarity and promote joint Arab action.

The Arab Economic, Social and Development Summit (Summit of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in Gaza) issued "Kuwait Declaration".

The Declaration was announced at the summit's closing session by Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.

"Kuwait Declaration" underscored the importance of elevating the standard of living for Arab citizens, granting priority to joint Arab investments, and allowing for greater participation of the private sector and civil societies in economic and social development.

The declaration gave priority to joint Arab investments, granting more opportunity for the participation of the private sector and civil societies in social and economic growth and in supporting infrastructure projects, developing the production, commerce and service sectors, as well as social projects, environmental protection, electricity and railway linkage, water and food security, all with the aim of achieving Arab economic integration.

The declaration said that social development, in all its elements and especially in education, was a main factor in achieving comprehensive development goals.

Despite the achievements made by many Arab in human development, especially in education, health services, combating poverty and illiteracy, the implementation of the greater Arab free trade zone, regional Arab economic blocs and progress in cooperation between these blocs and international ones, it said the Arab world was still facing local and international challenges that affected its security, sovereignty and social status.

These challenges, at the local level, were poverty, unemployment, low living standards, low trade levels and inter-Arab investments, it noted, as well as the migration of capital and qualified workforce, weak infrastructure, inadequate education levels and incompatibility with labor market requirements, food and water security, climate change, energy, and inefficient use of resources.

As for international challenges, the declaration said the global economic crisis and unrest in international financial markets, threat of recession and economic crunch and the impact this could have on Arab development had all prompted economic blocs and financial institutions around the world to find suitable means to tackle these issues and prevent their growth, and this included Arab efforts.

As for Arab economic and social integration, the declaration agreed on the need to double efforts to achieve comprehensive economic and social integration among Arab states and to steer clear of any political aspects and to make it a means to achieve sustainable social and economic development and achieving the aspirations of the people for integration in global economy and dealing with international political and economic blocs.

On the global economic crisis, the declaration called for following monetary and financial policies that boost the capability of Arab states to face the global meltdown and actively participate in international efforts to guarantee the world's financial stability, as well as activating the role of Arab financial institutions to increase inter-Arab investments and support Arab economy.

As for investment, the declaration called for encouraging inter-Arab investments, as well as providing a suitable environment and protection for these investments, facilitating the movement of Arab capital, and expanding the scope of the agreement for the investment of Arab capital in Arab states.

In terms of finance and financial institutions, the declaration called for boosting the role of joint Arab and national funds and financial institutions, developing their resources, relaxing conditions for granting loans, developing mechanisms for financing main inter-Arab projects in order to contribute to Arab economic integration, involving the private sector, providing credit facilitations for small and medium enterprises.

On statistics, it called for making data and accurate statistics available, saying that these were vital to planning and policy making, as well as decision making in economic and social development. It also called for developing and boosting the capabilities and resources of statistical bodies.

Meanwhile for the private sector, the declaration called for providing the economic and legal frameworks for the operation of the private sector and removing all obstacles facing its active participation in social and economic development in Arab states. It also called for boosting its role in building Arab social and economic integration, facilitating the movement of individuals, especially businessmen, and removing all obstacles in the way of transfer of capital among the Arab states.

Moreover, the declaration spoke of human resource development called for working to increase the efficiency of Arab human resources within efforts to achieve the Millennium Goals by 2015, curbing poverty, expanding the empowerment of women and youth, creating job opportunities, improving the health and education sectors, and raising incomes.

On education and scientific research, the declaration called for developing education and learning systems to keep up with the fast-paced developments in science and technology, elevating the standards of educational institutions and making them more efficient, and supporting the educational and scientific research plan approved in the Khartoum and Damascus summits (2006 and 2008 respectively). It also urged placing greater emphasis on scientific research and allocating budgets for it, easing access to knowledge, consolidating relations between Arab research centers, nationalizing modern technologies, encouraging scientists and researcher and encouraging their work.

As for health care, the declaration called for expanding basic health care projects in the Arab world, activating the role of joint Arab health institutions in order to raise service standards. It also called for according special attention to tacking non-contagious diseases such as diabetes, and producing effective medicine, easing its registration and thus creating medicament security in the Arab world.

The leaders lauded the initiative of the Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait for establishing a USD two billion fund for supporting investment projects and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and its contribution of USD 500 million to this initiative.

The Arab Economic Summit "In Solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza" issued important recommendations and resolutions that form the "road map" for the future of Arab economic cooperation, said Kuwait's Deputy Premier Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on Tuesday.

In a press conference at the conclusion of the summit, Sheikh Mohammad, who is also Foreign Minister and Acting Oil Minister, said the topics on the summit's agenda were related to building the Arab human element, and the Israeli aggression in Gaza was also discussed.

He said that in light of the tense circumstances that the summit was held in, "many cast their bets that the summit would implode, but this thankfully did not happen thanks to the wisdom of the Arab leaders, headed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz who, in his speech, laid the path for Arab conciliation."

Sheikh Mohammad added that the summit was "successful" and that what was needed now was to implement the resolutions and recommendations that were issued, adding that everyone would be meeting in Cairo in two years' time for the next summit, where they would review "the pledges we took upon ourselves, our people and the future generations."

He noted that His Highness the Emir of Kuwait had described this summit as the summit for liberating people from hunger, disease and illiteracy, and was also the summit for launching inner capabilities of Arabs.

He underscored the fact that for the first time, representatives of civil societies, youth and the private sector met directly with Arab leaders, where speeches were delivered at the closing session by representatives of youth and civil societies.

Asked about assistance that would be presented for the reconstruction of Gaza, Sheikh Mohammad said the resolutions of the joint meeting of Arab finance and foreign ministers that preceded the summit resulted in tasking the World Bank and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development with estimating the damage caused by the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

He added that the Egyptian initiative for holding the international donors conference in Cairo, adding that the international community was invited to participate in the reconstruction of Gaza.

He also underscored the swift response of His Highness the Emir and donating USD 34 million to UNRWA for emergency assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza.

Asked about the stance toward the Israeli aggression on Gaza, Sheikh Mohammad said "Kuwait Statement" issued called for taking legal action against Israel, not only for its crimes in Gaza, but also for all previous acts of violence against humanity and for destruction of infrastructure.

He said that there were no guarantees that Israeli would not repeat its attacks, but this did not mean leaving Palestinians without assistance and that Arabs had to stand by Gazans in their plight.

Sheikh Mohammad noted that the Arab leaders hailed the Palestinian resistance, which was an issue that could not be disputed.

Moreover, Sheikh Mohammad highlighted the initiative of His Highness the Emir for establishing a fund for small loans of USD 10,000-50,000 aimed at assisting activities of small businesspeople, companies and even housewives.

This fund would be worth USD two billion and Kuwait's contribution stands at USD 500 million, he said, adding that it would be managed by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and was the best tool for fighting poverty.

His Highness the Emir, at the inauguration of the summit, had announced the establishment of a USD two billion fund for funding small and medium enterprises, and made a USD 500 million contribution to the fund.

On his part, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said the League had "no role" in the Palestinian conciliation, adding that the Palestinians alone could decide holding the elections and their outcomes.

He added that there was an Arab consensus toward Palestinian conciliation and supporting Egyptian efforts in this area, noting that all Palestinians must be aware that their division was the reason for their hardships.

Moussa said that accusing the League of being unbiased in the Palestinian conflict was unacceptable "because we are officially bias for the Palestinian cause, in words and action," reaffirming that the League was not for one side over the other.

Asked about the Arab peace initiative, Moussa said that the most important statement that was made was that of Saudi's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who said that the initiative would not remain on the table for long.

The secretary general said the legal administration of the League would be closely studying legal action against Israel because one could not stand silent with the killing of more than 1300 people, half of which were children, women and the elderly.

In response to a question over what message would be sent to the new American president, Moussa said, "We call on his to place the Middle Eastern peace issue as a priority," adding that the US had the greatest leverage as mediator.

As for the Arab situation, he said that it was "still tense and things are not what they should be," saying that this required greater effort toward Arab solidarity.