Ashraf AboArafe
Mr. Nabil Fahmy, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, held a series of meetings in New York on Monday, on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, focusing on sustainable development in the Arab region, stronger Arab-UN cooperation, developments in the Gulf, and coordination of Arab positions on issues before the United Nations.
Fahmy met with Alexander De Croo, UN Under-Secretary-General and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with discussions addressing key development priorities in the Arab region and the impact of ongoing political and security developments on Arab countries’ efforts to achieve sustainable development across its economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Fahmy followed with interest De Croo’s briefing on the UNDP’s strategic priorities in the Arab region and its plans for the coming period to support Arab countries in pursuing sustainable development goals, highlighting the programme’s role as an important development partner for the region.
Fahmy, for his part, outlined his vision for advancing joint Arab development efforts and strengthening the League of Arab States’ capacity to anticipate challenges, take initiatives and respond effectively to crises. He stressed the importance of moving beyond coordination toward implementation through joint initiatives with clearly defined objectives and timelines.
The two sides agreed to intensify communication and cooperation in the coming period and to further develop institutional cooperation between the League of Arab States and the UNDP, with a view to strengthening sustainable development efforts and enhancing the region’s capacity to address emerging challenges and crises.
On the regional security front, Fahmy met with Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, with discussions focusing on developments in the Gulf, particularly maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and its implications for regional security and the global economy.
Fahmy underscored the importance of preserving freedom of international navigation in accordance with international law, while reaffirming the League of Arab States’ solidarity with Bahrain and the Gulf Arab states in safeguarding their security, sovereignty and vital infrastructure.
The two officials also exchanged views on coordinating Arab positions on issues before the current UN General Assembly, including through the League’s forthcoming ministerial meetings and joint meetings between the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Fahmy’s meetings in New York underscore the broadening agenda of Arab collective action, bringing together sustainable development priorities, international partnerships, regional security, crisis response and the protection of Arab interests in international forums—with an emphasis on translating Arab coordination into more effective mechanisms for joint action and implementation.
