KUWAIT: The Arab League has proven its ability over eight decades of political and geopolitical shifts to lead joint Arab action and effectively represent the true concerns of Arab peoples, said Kuwait’s permanent representative to the Arab League Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi on Saturday. In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), marking the 80th anniversary of the Arab League’s establishment on March 22, Al-Mutairi described the “esteemed organization” as a cornerstone of multilateral Arab action, with a prominent international presence through cooperation with both regional and global organizations. Despite criticisms that the League doesn’t play as prominent a role as other organizations, Al-Mutairi stressed that the Arab League continues to play an active role in strengthening ties among Arab countries. He pointed out that the League has initiated many positive efforts in support of Arab positions, citing the essential role of its missions in key capitals in amplifying the voices of Arab nations.

He added that one of the earliest steps in Kuwait’s foreign policy after independence was joining the Arab League. This was done in recognition of the importance of aligning with a bloc that represents Arab identity and unites the region’s peoples. Al-Mutairi explained that Kuwait’s decision to join the League immediately after gaining independence in 1961 helped expand the country’s international presence, granting it membership in various regional and international organizations. This, in turn, played a significant role in presenting Kuwait’s true image and its strong capacity to contribute to the Arab League’s collective efforts. The ambassador further emphasized that the Arab League takes pride in Kuwait’s active role within its framework, particularly through initiatives that bolster joint Arab work. He highlighted Kuwait’s ongoing support for the League’s efforts to strengthen regional cooperation.

Al-Mutairi noted that Kuwait views the Arab League as the primary umbrella for Arab peoples and a key institution in preserving the region’s historical legacy. He described the creation of the League following the wars that affected the region as a means to foster greater coordination and cooperation among newly independent Arab nations, allowing them to shoulder the responsibility of defending the issues of the Arab peoples.

Arab League Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi

Need for cooperation

Over the past eight decades, Al-Mutairi emphasized, the Arab League has managed to overcome numerous challenges that could have hindered its role as a leading regional organization. It has remained significant both regionally and internationally, advocating for the region’s issues on global platforms. Discussing the challenges currently facing the Arab League, Al-Mutairi stated that the obstacles are not unique to the League but affect all international organizations. He stressed that the changes unfolding globally call for greater dynamism and enhanced cooperation between regional groups to navigate geopolitical shifts.

The ambassador particularly highlighted the League’s role in coordinating Arab efforts in response to regional challenges, with the Palestinian cause remaining a top priority. He noted that since October 7, 2023, the Arab League has been instrumental in convening numerous meetings at ambassadorial, ministerial, and summit levels to address the crisis. The most recent of these meetings was an extraordinary Arab summit hosted by Egypt in early March, which produced important resolutions in support of the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people. These efforts culminated in the development of the so-called Arab plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Ambassador Al-Mutairi concluded by asserting that Arab countries now fully recognize the immense responsibility they bear in uniting their stance amid the major changes facing the region. He emphasized the urgent need for effective cooperation and solidarity among Arab nations to navigate these challenges. The Arab League, established on March 22, 1945, just months before the creation of the United Nations, remains the oldest international organization. Its founding charter was signed by seven Arab countries: Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, with Cairo designated as its permanent headquarters. — KUNA