Arab ministerial development conference begins in Sharm al-Sheikh

An Arab ministerial development conference kick-started in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh on Thursday, focusing on anti-poverty efforts in the Arab world.
The State of Kuwait is partaking in the conference with a delegation led by Minister of Social Affairs and Labour and Minister of Planning and Development Hind Al-Sabeeh.
In a keynote speech, Egyptian Minister of Social Affairs Ghada Wali stressed that Arab countries should flesh out their own development goals in line with post-2015 world development orientations.
Wali, who is the chief of the executive office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, said more efforts should be exerted in order to achieve holistic development and to set out Arab priorities for the world development agenda.
She underscored the significance of Arab economic and social development integration as a springboard for achieving comprehensive development in the Arab region, while holding fast to Arab tradition.
However, she maintained, Arab development cannot be attained unless the international community, mainly the United Nations, plays its due role in ensuring regional political and economic security and stability and putting an end to conflicts and occupation.
Wali voiced hope that prospective recommendations to be produced by the Arab gathering would be put on the agenda of the post-2015 world development goals.
For her part, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Ambassador Haifaa Abu Ghazala said in a speech during the event it is important for Arab countries to commit to completing Millennium Development Goals.
She stressed the importance of the conference held in Sharm El-Sheikh for drawing the Arab development map within the framework of the potential Arab development agenda.
Abu Ghazala emphasized the eradication of poverty and reduction of joblessness rate as a world priority, pointing to food security, nutrition and sustainable agricultural development as core Arab priorities.
She noted that the outcome of this conference would certainly lead to the promotion and consolidation of the Arab position during the current consultation process in New York to shore up Arab priorities as part of the post-2015 world development goals agenda.