The Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafi, stressed the "necessity of paying attention to young energies and embracing Arab minds and brains, as the Arab world is full of these energies, which constitute an effective and prominent basis in terms of achieving growth, and development." He called for "the importance of achieving partnership between the public and private sectors in the Arab world, and working together to implement development projects that Arab countries need, which contributes to addressing the reality of unemployment and creating job opportunities for Arab youth, thus raising the level of domestic product and creating development and well-being for Arab peoples."
Hanafi’s words came during a meeting on the occasion of the visit of a high-level delegation of Arab ministers of social affairs and representatives of the League of Arab States, where the Union of Arab Chambers launched the entrepreneurship initiative and the role of the Arab private sector in it: “Living Independently”, with the participation and sponsorship of the caretaker Prime Minister in Lebanon, Najib Mikati, and at the invitation of the Minister of Social Affairs in Lebanon, Hector Hajjar, and in the presence of more than 20 ministers from Lebanon and the Arab countries, they are led by the Minister of Social Solidarity in the Arab Republic of Egypt, Neven Al-Kabbaj, the Minister of Social Development in Jordan, Ayman Mufleh, and His Excellency Dr. Tariq Al-Nabulsi, the official of the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Ministers of Social Affairs in the League of Arab States, and Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of Social Affairs at the League of Arab States, in addition to the participation of the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Lebanon, Yasser Alawi, and a number of Arab ambassadors accredited to Lebanon. And a number of Lebanese ministers, headed by: Deputy Prime Minister of the caretaker government, HE Al-Shami, and the ministers: Public Works, Dr. Ali Hamiyah, Education Abbas Al-Halabi, and the Displaced Issam Sharaf Al-Din.
At the beginning of his speech, Hanafi welcomed the presence of President Najib Mikati in this meeting at the headquarters of the Arab League, which has been hosted in Beirut since its inception in 1951. He pointed out that the convening of this prominent meeting in Lebanon at this particular time and in light of the difficult circumstances, confirms Arab support for Lebanon, and that Lebanon was and still is at the center of Arab interest.
He stressed that the Arab private sector is always ready to cooperate and provide support, and is ready to coordinate with all responsible and relevant authorities in the Arab world, in order to contribute to the creation and implementation of development projects that our Arab countries need.
In his speech, Minister Hector Hajjar valued the initiative of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs and their quick response to stand by Lebanon in its plight and closely monitor the social and humanitarian conditions of its people. He confirmed to work, through meetings and field visits, on the development of an action plan with a specific timeline, aimed at emergency response and support for social protection to help Lebanon in a practical way.
For his part, Minister Ayman Al-Mufleh thanked the three Lebanese presidents for receiving the delegation members. He considered that this visit is a strong impetus to secure the necessary support for Lebanon, which confirms Arab cohesion and solidarity with it. He also stressed the need to come up with practical steps that begin with immediate implementation according to priorities, and urged Lebanese officials to work seriously to issue an old-age security law.
In her speech, Ambassador Haifa Abu-Ghazaleh indicated that she closely follows social and humanitarian affairs and concerns in Lebanon, and that the Council of Arab Social Affairs Ministers will support Lebanon by developing a plan of action with time goals.
For her part, Minister Nevin Al-Kabbaj thanked the three Lebanese presidents for receiving the delegation to share the plans of the Council of Ministers of Arab Affairs with them. She also stressed that the primary goal should be to restart production in the Arab countries and in Lebanon in particular, and not rely solely on aid, that is, focus on social justice and economic empowerment.
Finally, the caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, thanked the initiative of the Arab League and the ministers to visit Lebanon to explore the social situation and its impact on vulnerable groups, in preparation for discussing ways that translate the League and its members' support for him. He also pointed out that Lebanon is one of the founders of the League of Arab States and is convinced of Arab solidarity and coordination to the utmost, for the good of our countries and peoples.
The Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafi, participated with the Arab ministerial delegation in its meetings with the President of the Lebanese Republic, Michel Aoun, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, and the caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
Source (Union of Arab Chambers)
