Ashraf AboArafe
THE League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations (UN) convened the Social and Cultural Committee meeting today, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The session forms part of the ongoing consultations within the framework of the 17th General Meeting on Cooperation between the two organizations, held at the UN Headquarters in Geneva.
The session was co-chaired by Minister Plenipotentiary Enas El-Ferjani, Overseer of the Social Affairs Sector at the Arab League, and Dr. Luay Shabaneh, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It brought together representatives from the General Secretariat of the Arab League, various UN agencies, and specialized Arab organizations, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing institutional cooperation and coordinating stances on priority social issues at both regional and international levels.
The committee features a series of specialized panel discussions aimed at boosting joint efforts between the Arab League and the UN across key social and cultural sectors. These talks seek to bolster multilateral action, support sustainable development, and foster social stability across the Arab region.
Initial discussions focused on expanding cooperation in human rights, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and peace. Participants also reviewed mechanisms to strengthen social cohesion and empower civil society organizations as vital partners in achieving development and social stability.
A key focus was placed on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Attendees addressed strategies to accelerate its implementation across the Arab region and discussed intensifying joint efforts to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women and girls through knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and targeted regional initiatives.
The agenda further covered the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) framework, emphasizing the empowerment of youth and their active role in peacebuilding and sustainable development. Conversations also highlighted the need to build resilient, sustainable education systems capable of adapting to global and regional shifts while ensuring access to inclusive, quality education.
In its concluding sessions, the committee addressed several pressing social and humanitarian challenges, including:
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Implementation of the Doha Political Declaration issued by the Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha 2025).
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Enhancing joint action in public health, emergency preparedness, and humanitarian response.
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Population dynamics and resilience building in the Arab region.
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Escalating challenges related to migration and refugees, alongside integrated, sustainable approaches to address them.
These consultations underscore the mutual commitment of the Arab League and the United Nations to deepening their strategic partnership. By developing joint initiatives tailored to regional priorities, both organizations aim to align regional and international efforts to drive comprehensive development, security, and stability in the Arab world.
