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Your Excellency Mr. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, 

Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates,  

Chairman of the current session of the Economic and Social Council, 

Your Highnesses, Excellencies, Ministers,  

Ladies and Gentlemen,  

At the outset, I am pleased to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the current session of the Economic and Social Council. I wish you every success and prosperity in this important role. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and His Excellency Mr. Youssef Al Shamali, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, for his commendable leadership and prudent management during the previous session of the Council.

Mr. President,  

It has been almost a year on the brutal Israeli aggression against Palestine, and we are reminded that this assault is not an isolated incident. It stands out, however, as the most violent, barbaric, and utterly devoid of legal, moral, and humanitarian considerations. We have all witnessed its atrocities and crimes. Moreover, we observe with grave concern Israel’s continued efforts to escalate the conflict to neighbouring countries, under pretexts and justifications that are now widely recognised as being driven by internal political motives and personal ambitions.

The dangers of this situation are clear. The real risk of a regional war looms large, a war that would undoubtedly have catastrophic consequences not only for the region but for the entire world. Such a conflict would severely hinder the progress of nations striving for development and advancement, pushing our region back by years.

The recent period has been exceptionally difficult for the Palestinian people, who have endured a tragedy of immense proportions. They have shouldered unbearable burdens and faced circumstances far beyond what any human being should be expected to withstand. Yet, they have remained resilient—patient, dignified, and unwavering in their faith, with their heads held high. Despite the enemy’s relentless onslaught of bombs, drones, and missiles, their belief in the justice of the cause they defend has not faltered in the slightest. All of this has taken place amidst a backdrop of international impotence, with the world unable to stop the aggressor, and in some cases even providing a safe haven that allows these atrocities to continue unchecked and unpunished.

Today, we commence the 114th session of the Economic and Social Council, where we will address several critical issues, foremost among them being the subject of "Supporting the Palestinian Economy." For nearly 30 years, this topic has been presented at this esteemed Council’s September session. However, this year, it takes on an extraordinary significance and an undeniable urgency.

The report before us this year lays bare the staggering human and material losses suffered by the Palestinian people due to the brutal Israeli aggression since 7 October. The aggression has wrought comprehensive and intentional devastation, dismantling entire sectors of life across the occupied Palestinian territories.

The figures and statistics presented are sobering. They reveal that the sheer volume of bombs and explosives unleashed on the Gaza Strip exceeds tens of thousands of tons—far surpassing the destructive power of the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. These figures serve as a stark testament to the scale of the devastation inflicted upon the Palestinian people.

You are all well aware that the catastrophic human and material losses inflicted by these crimes will not be easily recovered from, nor will the healing process take place in a short period of time. Since the onset of its brutal aggression, the occupying forces have proudly proclaimed their daily bombardment of Gaza with thousands of bombs—hundreds of which remain unexploded, posing an imminent danger and adding yet another disaster to the long list of tragedies that have afflicted the Strip for nearly a year. An entire generation of children has lost the chance to experience a normal school life, and the health situation has deteriorated alarmingly, with diseases that had disappeared a quarter of a century ago now resurfacing.

I must emphasise that the crime Israel continues to perpetrate with relentless force has targeted not only the present generation of Palestinians but entire generations to come. These crimes will not fade with time; the horrific scenes of killing, torture, displacement, and starvation will remain etched in our collective memory—Palestinian, Arab, and human alike.

Mr. President,  

The past years have not been favourable when it comes to global human development indicators. For the first time, the number of people escaping poverty is in decline. The challenges of globalisation are no longer concealed—from the vast inequalities within and between nations, to the fragility of global supply chains, and the worsening environmental degradation and climate change. These realities cast serious doubt on the very concept of sustainable growth. Our Arab region is not immune to these challenges; on the contrary, it bears the additional burden of persistent conflicts and instability, which in turn diminish the region’s attractiveness as an investment destination and complicate efforts towards development and progress.

I cannot help but express, with deep regret, the profound disruption of the development trajectories of countries such as Sudan, Yemen, and Libya, whose paths have been derailed by internal conflict. These nations stand as stark reminders of the urgent need for stability and the devastating toll of ongoing crises on national progress.

To foster sustainable economic growth in our region, it is imperative that we undertake a qualitative shift in addressing these hotbeds of conflict and instability as an urgent priority. Equally, global challenges demand a fresh perspective on our efforts towards economic integration. The prevailing trend across all regions of the world today is towards strengthening economic ties and trade exchanges at the regional level, as the flaws of globalisation and the risks associated with strategic reliance on it have become increasingly apparent.

In this regard, the acceleration and intensification of Arab economic integration efforts are crucial in meeting the challenges we face. We must also activate and fully leverage the Arab mechanisms already in place across various sectors. This includes enhancing the performance of specialised Arab organisations, a subject that is rightly on today's agenda, Mr. President, at your commendable initiative.

Before concluding, allow me to extend my sincere wishes for your success in presiding over the current session of the Council, and for the fruitful outcomes of your discussions. May your meeting be marked by prosperity and progress.

Thank you, and may the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.