Lebanese Republic 
Speech REPUBLIC OF LEBANON
The Economic and Social Council, Ordinary session (114th)
At ministerial level
9/5/2024
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At first, I would like to extend my congratulations, in the name of the Lebanese Republic, to the United Arab Emirates on presiding over the meetings of the Economic and Social Council, in its 114th session; and my special thanks go to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for its efforts exerted throughout the period of chairing the meetings of the Council’s 113th ordinary session.
I would also like to express my thanks and appreciation to the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States, represented by its General Secretary, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit in addition to the two Assistant Secretaries-General for Economic and Social Affairs as well as to all the Staff of the Secretariat General for their continuous efforts exerted to lift barriers between the brotherly Arab countries; namely in terms of following up on the Greater Arab Free Trade Area and supporting the Joint Arab Economic and Social work.
Your Excellencies,
Dear Sirs,
The present council bears great responsibility in establishing cooperation and devoting joint efforts for the service of our Arab society which embraces huge potentials that need to be addressed into the right and constructive direction.
In this regard, our work agenda reflects today several vital topics and issues; in particular regarding the Greater Arab Free Trade Area; addressing the challenges of the Arab food security which is also presumed to establish along with the food security’ Arab strategy; and preserving our Arab societies in the field of health, education and women empowerment ..
Your Excellencies,
The world witnesses nowadays qualitative transformations in politics and economy; and our Arab world is not far from these transformations, for what we are witnessing from an emerging convergence and efforts exerted to turn off the pages on differences and open new pages, are considered steps of great importance that we praise constituting a glimpse of hope in the future of our region. However, these Arab transformations, in particular those related to our region, should be accompanied with true Arab efforts in order to build an integrated Arab economy that has been long-awaited… an economy that we can build to keep pace with the new economic era along with all its requirements, from technological and digital development to artificial intelligence. The most important thing consists in the fact that this transformation contributes in achieving a comprehensive sustainable development, improving the life standard of the Arab citizen and providing him with welfare.
In this regard, recent history proved that the power of countries is no longer measured by its military superiority but instead by its economic capacities and the development of its industries as well as by the extent to which self -sufficiency is achieved in addition to its immunity against various economic crises.
Our Arab world, with all its countries included, encompasses unprecedented economic capacities and strength potentials that had and still made it the object to ambitions of many countries regarding its natural resources, human potential and a special geographic location that allows it to control the main world gates, by sea and land. We missed many opportunities to raise the Arab entity to the ranks of most important economic clusters in the world… given all that, let us not lose more time because we do not have the luxury of time anymore.
Your Excellencies,
Lebanon is a founding member of the Arab League and had contributed over years to develop the Arab work and adopt the brotherhood and cooperation policy with our Arab brothers without any exception.
Dears sirs, Lebanon that you know is groaning today from pain due to several overlapping crises during last decade and had previously reached and still till this date a dead end; which requires your help at first and foremost.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Given the major economic crisis in the world and in many Arab countries, I would like to reveal to you once again the concerns of the complicated economic situation that Lebanon is facing; the country that has always remained and still in the heart of all the Arab.
It is no secret that the huge economic burden that Lebanon as well as other Arab countries that host Syrian refugees sustain due to the hosting. Reducing this heavy burden on Lebanon and the hosting Arab countries certainly requires securing the fast, safe and dignified return of all Syrian displaced people to their homes. By doing this, they not only reduce the economic and social pressure on Lebanon, but also constitute an essential component and a key human support for the reconstruction of their villages and cities in addition to achieving development and launching the economic growth in Syria for the interest of all the Arab countries.
As you all know, Lebanon is currently witnessing the worst economic crisis throughout its history, considered among the most severe crises in the world, not to mention the devastating explosion that pulverized the port of Beirut and caused huge losses which we are still facing its repercussions till this date… Then came the war that broke out unfortunately in Palestine and Lebanon that added fuel on the fire of the already deteriorating economic crisis; which affected all the components of the Lebanese economy and reached very difficult and dangerous social conditions, if not tragic ones. It is to mention that these crises are likely to worsen if the support and the brotherhood care are not rapidly, wisely and bravely extended along with national Arab keenness.
Lebanon witnesses a delicate and crucial transitional period composed of reforms, enhancement of confidence and reconstruction. However, Lebanon, always confident that its Arab brotherly countries stood alongside by it during all the crises and wars that took place, is looking forward to their support in facing this crisis. Consequently, it calls them for investing in its infrastructure, executing productive projects to benefit Lebanon, the Arab countries and Arab investors as well; given that the investment opportunities are various and promising; especially that Lebanon which is considered among the leading and prominent countries on the economic level throughout our region’ history, always managed to bounce back and achieve an economic recovery as is the case with all the other Arab countries facing economic crises; stressing that Lebanon is an added value to the economy of our Arab world and consequently; beneficial to the Arab economic integration as well as the Arab economic power that we are all looking forward to.
We all know how much Lebanon is cherished and loved by its brotherly Arab countries; however, we should join hands, close ranks and achieve Arabic-Arabic coordination for a situation unit as well as a comprehensive peace and prosperity in our region..
Our gathered brothers, I call on you not to leave Lebanon colliding for we are not a bankrupted country nor very demanding… we are an Arab country that has been considered as the weak link in the chain, left under regional and international pressures, thus allowing corruption and corruptors to destroy an Arab country, rich in many blessings of priceless material and moral wealth, within the big Arab family.. Lebanon is your younger weak brother, left alone and victim of the foreign ambitions and agendas seeking to detach it from its Arab family and changing it from being a jewel in the Arab’ crown to an infected swamp that weakens the Arab and Arabism.
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I take this opportunity and my presence among my brothers in this meeting to reiterate the emergency call in the name of the Lebanese people striving to rebuild their country, form their constitutional authorities and assure the regularity of political and administrative work.
In this occasion, I would like to seize this opportunity to extend my thanks to both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Arab Republic of Egypt for their efforts exerted in order to provide Lebanon with political and economic solutions. I particularly thank the State of Qatar that is always present in Lebanon in an attempt to assure necessary political and economic solutions; when its official envoy leaves Lebanon, its entrepreneurs and businessmen directly return with the approval and blessing of the Qatari leadership to invest in several sectors in Lebanon, mainly in energy and tourism.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
The path to economic and social growth as well to reforms and the institutions’ construction is considered a prerequisite to all the Arab countries for this concern is a deposit in your hands because it is the tomorrow’s path and the future of generations. Knowing your determination and willingness to sacrifice, you are surely not content with and should not be satisfied with less than seeing our Arab nations heading steadily and promptly toward highest levels of prosperity, pride and dignity.
At the end, I wish success for our council’ meetings and all the other Summits’ preparatory works that we expect to come out with decisions that enhance the common Arab work and contribute in the prosperity of our Arab world in different fields. Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.
