The Arab League underlined the important role civil society organizations can undertake in light of the political, social and economic changes in the Arab region.

During an advisory meeting with the regional office of the World Health Organization on Sunday, Arab League assistant secretary general for the information sector Haifaa Abu Ghazala stressed the importance of raising societal awareness on the sustainable development goals and health priorities in the Arab region.

Out of the Arab League's keenness to promote a partnership with Arab civil society organizations, the general secretariat had created the first database for civil society organizations in 19 Arab countries, she said.

It also prepared a draft Arab decade for civil society organizations 2015-2025 to create a conducive stage and successful mechanism for cooperation between the organizations, Arab government and regional and international institutions, she said.

She also pointed out to preparations to launch the "Arab decade" during the forum of civil society organizations, which will take place on the sidelines of the Arab development summit in Tunisia in January 2016, she added.