Monday 24 February 2025 
By : Hana Saada
The work of the 31st ordinary session of the Arab Summit, chaired by the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, wrapped up, on Wednesday, at Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center (CIC) in Algiers with the participation of Arab leaders, Heads of State and Government, as well as guests of honour.
Placed under the slogan of “the unification of ranks and the bolstering of joint Arab action”, the Algiers Summit aimed to reach a consensus on several issues and spur a new dynamic to joint Arab action.
The latest developments in the Palestinian cause topped the Arab summit agenda, especially in light of the Zionists practices against the Palestinian people in the occupied territories, in addition to African-European-Arab region relations for free trade, economy, investment and trade exchange.
The summit tabled a number of draft resolutions to end inter-Arab differences and restore calm in order to achieve stability and development for the Arab peoples.
The previous session of the Arab Summit was held in 2019, before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. In the years since, new challenges have drastically reshaped the region’s agenda — the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Zionist Entity and four Arab countries, as well as the fallout of the war in Ukraine.
As such, Algiers’ summit was sanctioned by the “Declaration of Algiers”, read in the closing session by the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, Nadir Larbaoui.
“Declaration of Algiers”
“We, leaders of the Arab States, gathered in the city of Algiers in the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, on November 1 and 2, 2022, corresponding to 7-8 Rabi’ al-Thani 1444 of the Hegira, on the occasion of the thirty-first (31) ordinary session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the summit level, at the kind invitation of His Excellency, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria:
Driven by our common history and the ties of Arab solidarity which espoused its finest expression through the adherence of Arab peoples and countries to the struggle of the Algerian people during the Glorious November Revolution and the sacrifices of Arab brothers for the triumph of their Algerian brothers.
In remembrance of the historic resolutions taken by the Arab leaders during all the previous summits, including those held in Algeria at pivotal stages in the history of our Nation, and taking into account the collective achievements made during these phases in favor of the causes of the Arab Nation and the joint Arab action.
Aware of the delicate situation and the frantic developments on the international scene as well as the signs of the current state of polarization which augur a reconfiguration of the balance of power, due to the dangers it may pose to our national security and the stability of our homelands. As such, it is imperative to federate our efforts to preserve our common interests and position ourselves as an influential and active actor to draw the contours of a new international order based on justice and sovereign equality between States.
We salute the initiative of His Excellency, the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune who chose the “Reunification of the ranks” as the theme of our summit, as we express our deep pride in sharing, with the President, the Government and the people of Algeria, the festivities marking the 68th anniversary of the Glorious November Revolution, and we bow to the memory of the valiant martyrs who irrigated this pure land with their blessed blood:
We declare the following:
First: Concerning the Palestinian cause
– Importance of the centrality of the Palestinian cause, the absolute support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to freedom, self-determination and the establishment of the independent State of Palestine, fully sovereign on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Al Quds as its capital, the right of return and compensation for Palestinian refugees, in accordance with United Nations General Assembly resolution 194 of 1948.
– Commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, with all its elements and priorities, and commitment to a just and comprehensive peace as a strategic option to end the Israeli occupation of all Arab lands, including the Syrian Golan, the Shebaa Farms and the Lebanese hills of Kafr Shuba, and to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of the principle of “land for peace”, international law and the relevant resolutions of international legality.
– Continuation of efforts to protect the occupied city of Al-Quds and its holy sites and to defend it against unacceptable and reprehensible attempts to alter its demography and Arab-Muslim and Christian identity as well as its historical and legal status, including through support to the historic Hashemite trusteeship to protect Islamic and Christian religious places, and the Administration of Al-Quds Waqfs and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs under the Jordanian Ministry of Waqfs and Islamic Places, with exclusive jurisdiction in this area, in addition to the role of the Al-Quds Committee and the Al-Quds Fund to defend the city of Al-Quds and support the resistance of its population.
– Lifting of the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and condemnation of the use of force by the occupation against the Palestinians, and of all barbaric practices, including assassinations and arbitrary arrests, while demanding the release of all detainees and prisoners, especially children, women, the sick and the elderly.
– Adoption and support of the approach of the State of Palestine to obtain full membership in the United Nations, while calling on countries which have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to do so, in addition to the imperative support for Palestinian legal efforts to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for the war crimes and crimes against humanity it has committed and continues to commit against the Palestinian people.
– Tribute to the Arab efforts made for the unification of the Palestinian ranks, and to the signing by the Palestinian brothers of the “Declaration of Algiers”, emanating from the “Conference of unification of the ranks for the Palestinian national unity”, held in Algiers from October 11 to 13, 2022, while stressing on the need to combine the efforts of Arab countries to accelerate the achievement of this noble objective, in particular through the accompaniment of the Palestinian brothers to concretize the stages agreed in the aforementioned Declaration.
Second: Concerning the situation prevailing in the Arab world
– Strengthening of joint Arab action to protect Arab national security in all its political, economic, food, energy, water and environmental dimensions, and contribution to the resolution of the crises that certain Arab countries are going through, so as to preserve the unity of the member countries, their territorial integrity and their sovereignty over their natural resources commensurate with the aspirations of their peoples to a decent life.
– Rejection of any form of foreign interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries and commitment to the principle of Arab solutions to Arab problems through the strengthening of the role of the Arab League in the prevention and resolution of crises in a peaceful manner, and strengthening inter-Arab relations. In this context, we salute the steps and efforts made by several Arab States, in particular the State of Kuwait, in favor of Arab and Gulf solidarity.
– Full solidarity with the Libyan people and support for efforts to end the Libyan crisis through an inter-Libyan solution that preserves Libya’s unity and sovereignty, protects its security and the security of neighboring countries and achieves the aspirations of its people to the holding of elections as soon as possible to ensure lasting political stability.
– Support to the legitimate Government of Yemen, the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council and the efforts made to reach a political solution to the crisis in the country, in accordance with the references in force, while insisting on the need to renew the humanitarian truce as essential step in this process aimed at achieving an inclusive political settlement that guarantees the unity, sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity of Yemen and the security of the countries of the Arab Gulf, as well as the rejection of all forms of foreign interference in its internal affairs.
– Collective and leading role of the Arab States in the efforts aimed at achieving a political solution to the Syrian crisis, while addressing all its political, security, humanitarian and economic fallout with a view to guaranteeing the unity and sovereignty of Syria, realizing the aspirations of its people and restoring its security, stability and position at the regional and international levels.
– Support for constitutional activity in Iraq, including the formation of the Government, while welcoming the efforts exerted to achieve stability and economic development and realize the hopes and aspirations of the Iraqi people, as well as the success achieved by Iraq in the fight against terrorist organizations and the sacrifices of its people in defense of the sovereignty and security of their country.
– Solidarity with the Republic of Lebanon for the preservation of its security and stability, while supporting the measures it has taken to establish its sovereignty over its territory and its maritime space, so that this country implements the required reforms and that the parliament elects a new president of the country.
– Support to the Federal Republic of Somalia for the consolidation of the bases of security and stability through the contribution of the Arab States to the strengthening of Somali national capacities in the sphere of the fight against terrorism, with a view to enabling this sisterly country to meet the challenges facing it in the current stage, particularly the acute drought crisis.
– Support for continued efforts towards a political solution between Djibouti and Eritrea regarding the border dispute and the issue of Djiboutian prisoners.
– Need to contribute to supporting the Arab States which have gone through or are going through a difficult political, security and economic situation, or those which face exceptional situations due to natural disasters, by mobilizing the means available according to the formulas in place at the bilateral, Arab, regional and international levels.
– Need to create a nuclear-free zone, free from weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, in accordance with agreed benchmarks, and to invite all parties concerned to join and implement the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons ( NPT), which remains the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation system.
Third: Regarding the strengthening and modernization of joint Arab action
– Commit to continuing the process of strengthening and modernizing joint Arab action and promoting it in line with the aspirations of the Arab peoples, following a new approach that consolidates traditional frameworks and places the concerns of the Arab citizen at the heart of its priorities.
– Promote the constructive proposals presented by the President of the People`s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune for the activation of the role of the Arab League in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, in addition to the consecration of the popular dimension and strengthening the position of youth and innovation in joint Arab action.
– Emphasize the need to launch an interactive dynamic between official Arab institutions and civil society actors with all their persuasions and active forces, through the creation of spaces for the exchange of ideas, fruitful debate and constructive dialogue capable of unifying efforts to meet the challenges that arise with the association of all actors.
– Undertake to multiply efforts for the concretization of the Arab economic integration project according to a global vision ensuring an optimal exploitation of the assets of the Arab economies, but also of the precious opportunities that they present, the objective being to ensure a full activation of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAZALE), in anticipation of the creation of the Arab Customs Union.
– Emphasize the combination of efforts to consolidate collective Arab capacities in response to the challenges posed in the areas of food, health and energy security, and the fight against climate change, while emphasizing the imperative development of cooperation mechanisms for the institutionalization of Arab action in these areas.
Fourth: Regarding relations with neighboring countries and partnerships
– Emphasize the need to establish healthy and balanced relations between the Arab and the international communities, including its Islamic, African and Euro-Mediterranean environment, relations based on respect for the rules of good neighborliness, trust, fruitful cooperation and mutual commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, at the top of which is respect for the sovereignty of countries and non-interference in their internal affairs.
– Emphasize the importance of existing cooperation and partnership forums between the Arab League and the various international and regional partners, being important spaces for political consultation and the establishment of balanced relations and partnerships, based on respect and mutual interests.
Fifth: Concerning the international situation
– Emphasize that the growing tensions on the international scene highlight, more than ever, the structural dysfunctions of international governance mechanisms, and the imperative need to address them under an approach guaranteeing equity and equality for all countries and putting an end to the marginalization of developing countries.
– Affirm the importance of the participation of Arab countries in defining the contours of the new post-Covid-19 world order and war in Ukraine, as a harmonized and united bloc and as an actor who can, with his will, his capacities and skills, contribute effectively and positively in this area.
– Commit to the principles of the non-alignment and the common Arab stances vis-à-vis the war in Ukraine, based on the rejection of the use of force and the adoption of peaceful solutions through the effective adherence of the Arab League Contact Group at ministerial level (composed of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to the Secretary General of the Arab League) to international efforts aimed at crystallizing a political solution to the crisis in line with the principles of the UN Charter and taking into account the security concerns of stakeholders, while rejecting the politicization of international organizations. Highlight, in this context, the efforts made by other Arab countries, such as; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
– Promote the balanced policy adopted by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+), in order to guarantee the stability of world energy markets and the sustainability of investments in this strategic sector within the framework of an economic approach ensuring the protection of the interests of producer and consumer countries alike.
– Highlight the need to unify efforts aimed at combating terrorism and all forms of extremism, dry up the sources of its financing, and mobilize the international community within the framework of an approach with complementary dimensions based on the commitment to rules of international law and relevant UN resolutions, in particular with regard to the partners’ claim to prohibit the use of their territories as a refuge or platform for incitement or support for acts of terrorism against other countries.
– Commend the commendable initiatives of certain Arab countries aimed at putting an end to the proliferation of Islamophobia, reducing tensions and promoting the values of tolerance, respect for others, interfaith dialogue, cultures and civilizations’ exchanges and dialogue, and promote the values of living together in peace, proclaimed by the UN as an International Day, on the initiative of Algeria.
– Welcome, in this context, the historic visit of the Vatican Pope to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and his participation with the Grand Imam of the Mosque of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, President of the Council of Muslim Elders, Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Al-Tayyeb, to the work of the “Bahrain Forum for East-West Dialogue for Human Coexistence”.
– Commend the important role of Arab countries in the face of the major challenges facing humanity, such as; climate change, while welcoming, in this vein, the Middle East Green Initiative, launched by Saudi Arabia.
– Affirm the need for the Arab States to play an eminent role in the organization of major international events which are intended to be important and structuring rendez-vous in international relations.
We express in this context:
– Our support for the Arab Republic of Egypt, which is preparing to host the 27th session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
– Our support for the State of Qatar, which is preparing to host the 2022 Football World Cup, and our full confidence in its ability to organize a remarkable edition of this international and major event, but also our condemnation of the defamatory campaigns against it.
– Our support for the Kingdom of Morocco, which will host the 9th World Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (9th UNAOC Global Forum), on November 22 and 23 in the city of Fez.
– Our support for the State of the United Arab Emirates which is preparing to host the 28th session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
– Our support for the candidacy of Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) to host “EXPO 2030″.
In conclusion:
– We express our deep gratitude to the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune for his valuable efforts in organizing the Summit meetings with wisdom and foresight, and for his role in deepening the consultation and the coordination as well as the harnessing of all the conditions guaranteeing the success of this major Arab event which took place in an exemplary fraternal and consensual spirit. Just as we highly salute his contributions and initiatives which have made this Summit a distinguished stopover in favor of joint Arab action”.