Baghdad: The 34th Arab Summit held in Baghdad has concluded, underscoring the centrality of the Palestinian cause, the need for enhanced inter-Arab cooperation, and addressing prevalent regional challenges to fulfill the aspirations of the Arab people.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the summit's final communique included numerous resolutions, with a significant focus on the Palestinian cause due to the dire situation in the Gaza Strip and ongoing Israeli occupation issues in the West Bank. Arab leaders emphasized the undeniable right of Palestinians to self-determination, whether within their homeland or amongst refugees abroad.
Participants at the summit condemned the practices of the Israeli occupation against Palestinians, affirming their right to dignity and freedom as per international laws and norms. They called for an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid.
The summit also highlighted the necessity for all countries to provide political, financial, and legal support based on plans from the Arab emergency summit and the OIC Foreign Ministers meeting in Cairo and Jeddah in March 2025. These plans aim to establish a Palestinian state and reconstruct the Gaza Strip, rejecting any attempts to displace Palestinians from their lands.
The leaders discussed the establishment of reconstruction funds for Gaza and Lebanon, advocating for opening crossings to the Gaza Strip and supporting UNRWA. They welcomed the establishment of a cooperation fund with the UN to assist 40,000 Palestinian orphans, amputees, and wounded.
A just resolution of the Palestinian issue, establishing an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, was also emphasized. The summit called for deploying UN troops to ensure the execution of a two-state solution and urged the UNSC to enforce this plan.
The attendees urged Palestinian factions to unite and expressed support for the UNGA's resolution on Palestine's full UN membership. They called on the UNSC to reconsider its decisions against Palestinian rights and enforce resolutions related to occupied Arab territories.
The leaders affirmed the importance of ending Israeli occupation in Arab lands, including the Golan Heights and southern Lebanon, supporting Syria's unity, and the lifting of sanctions. They also addressed concerns in Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and Somalia, advocating for unity, stability, and development.
On broader regional cooperation, the summit called for a WMD-free Middle East, emphasized Arab water security, and addressed challenges in food security, health, energy, and climate change. They reiterated their stance against terrorism and welcomed Iraq's efforts in combating terror.
The leaders expressed condolences over Pope Francis's death and congratulated Pope Leo XIV, encouraging diplomatic efforts in the region and supporting international agreements for sustainable development.