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Arab League to Asharq Al-Awsat: Differences Persist on Restoring Syria Membership

The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)
The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)
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Arab League to Asharq Al-Awsat: Differences Persist on Restoring Syria Membership

The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)
The Arab League headquarters is seen in Cairo, Egypt December 20, 2016. (Reuters)

Arab League Assistant Secretary General Hossam Zaki stated that differences still persist between Arab countries over restoring Syria's membership at the organization.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that discussions on Syria's membership arise ahead of any Arab League ministerial meeting or summit, citing efforts by Algeria, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to end Damascus' isolation.

"Ultimately, no progress has been made," he revealed, saying: "Consensus is necessary."

Consensus will not be possible amid the differences in positions among members, "but we are following the issue closely to determine whether we can resolve them before the next Arab League meeting," Zaki added.

Syria's membership was suspended in 2011 over its brutal crackdown on peaceful anti-regime protesters at the start of its conflict.

The Arab League had suspended its work for over a month due to the coronavirus pandemic. A summit had been scheduled for Algeria in March, but it has been postponed. Meetings and talks have been held by telephone and video conference.

Zaki said the organization has gradually been resuming its work in line with the preventive measures adopted by Egypt, where the Arab League is based. The organization's headquarters are regularly sterilized and disinfected and employees are being tested for the virus.

The situation is so far "reassuring", he stated.

On whether the Arab League will resume its meetings normally, he said this issue will take time and at the moment, "we must rely on digital platforms."

He hoped that Arab countries will end up taking advantage of the pandemic to develop closer bonds and resilience in confronting natural disasters.

Zaki predicted that the world will contend with the repercussions of the pandemic for a "long time and they will, unfortunately, not be easily overcome, especially after opponents of globalization in the West discovered that they lacked the national means to produce the main gear needed to combat the outbreak."

"They were reluctantly forced to turn to foreign manufacturers. This will definitely leave its mark on the coming phase and our Arab countries will be affected by this in varying degrees," he said.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.