Eighty years have passed since the establishment of the League of Arab States—an enduring regional organisation founded on the principles of fostering cooperation among its member states, upholding their sovereignty, promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes, and serving the higher goals of peace, security, and shared development.
From its inception, the League of Arab States has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting Arab nations still under occupation and engaged in struggles for liberation and independence. This was particularly evident through its early collaboration with the Arab Maghreb Office in Cairo, which brought together a distinguished group of national leaders from the Maghreb region.
The Palestinian cause has, for decades, remained the core and conscience of the League's agenda. It continues to champion the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people across international fora, especially at the United Nations and through structured dialogues with like-minded countries and organisations—advocating resolutely for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The League of Arab States stands as a true reflection of the Arab reality—with all its intricacies, contradictions, hopes, and aspirations. It serves as a shield for collective Arab interests and a guardian of the Arab world's rich cultural and civilisational legacy, while recognising and promoting its immense human and developmental potential.
Successive crises and defining moments have underscored a fundamental truth: the strength of the League of Arab States derives primarily from the unity and resolve of its member states, and from their genuine commitment to supporting its mission, implementing its resolutions, and engaging actively with the mechanisms of the General Secretariat.
Over the years, the League of Arab States has sought to mobilise its institutional capacities and advisory influence to harmonise policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks across diverse domains of joint Arab action. In doing so, it has endeavoured to keep pace with the sweeping transformations unfolding globally, and to lay the groundwork for deeper regional integration.
In this era defined by artificial intelligence, innovation, and accelerating technological and intellectual change, the challenges confronting the League of Arab States are more complex and pressing than ever before. They call for an expedited integration process, more robust engagement with Arab issues, and stronger support for initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development, entrenching good governance and the rule of law, and countering all forms of extremism.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of this venerable institution, we reaffirm our collective resolve: that we are all in the same vessel, navigating shared tides—and that our only path to safety lies in sincere collective will, unshakable solidarity, fidelity to the spirit of the Charter, and a reinvigorated reform process grounded in clarity of vision and effectiveness of action.
Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi,
Assistant Secretary-General,
Head of the Media and Communication Sector
