Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Special Representative of His Majesty the Sultan, led the Omani delegation to the 33rd Regular Arab Summit in Manama, Bahrain. The summit was attended by several leaders and heads of governments.
Upon his arrival at the summit venue, HH Sayyid Asa’ad was warmly received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.
During the opening of the Arab summit, HH Sayyid Asaad delivered a speech, beginning with the words, "In the name of the Almighty Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful."
Your Majesty, King Hamad bin Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain and Chairman of the 33rd session of the Council of League of Arab States, distinguished Majesties, Highnesses, Excellency Secretary General of the League of Arab States, esteemed guests, and honorable audience,
May the peace, blessings, and mercy of the Almighty Allah be upon you all!
I am pleased to convey the warm greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, to all of you, along with his sincere wishes for the success of this important gathering. We are grateful for the warm reception and hospitality that has been extended to us. Furthermore, we highly appreciate the excellent preparations made for this summit under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its constructive efforts in ensuring the success of the previous Arab Summit, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Your Majesties, Your Highnesses,
Distinguished Guests,
This summit is taking place under extraordinary circumstances, at a time when the Arab nation is in great need of empowerment to ensure its security, protect its geopolitical interests, and maintain its position amidst the challenges and complexities that cannot be overcome individually. It is only through collective action, even at a minimal level of agreement, alliance, collaboration, and cooperation, based on a shared strategy and economic capabilities, that our nation can effectively confront a world filled with ambitions, aspirations, and objectives.
The historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people compels us all to take a stronger, more impactful, and more efficient Arab stance that guarantees their right to self-determination and their aspiration for comprehensive global recognition of the Palestinian State. This stance must be in line with the United Nations resolution, the Arab Peace Initiative, and international law. Without such a stance, our region will never achieve the lasting peace or sustainable prosperity that the people of the region and the world as a whole desire.
In the meantime, it is imperative that we acknowledge our historical and ethical duty. We urge the international community to take immediate action and diligently enforce the principles of international law. It is crucial that justice is upheld and realized for the Palestinian people, leading to security and stability for all.
Your Majesties, Your Highnesses,
Distinguished Guests,
We would like to emphasize the importance of respecting the principles of good neighborliness, the sovereignty of nations over their territories, and non-interference in their internal affairs. Furthermore, we must uphold the rights of all individuals, particularly the right to coexist with dignity and independence.
As long as we remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice, we have faith that we will never be disappointed, by the will of God.
May we all be guided by the Almighty to that which He loves and approves, for He is the ultimate Lord and the greatest supporter.
Peace be upon you."
During the summit, discussions centered around the progress made in implementing previous decisions and commitments. The Palestinian issue, Arab national security concerns, the volatile situations in certain Arab countries, and external interference in Arab affairs were also addressed.
Additionally, the summit included a comprehensive review of international political matters, such as the upcoming Second Arab-Chinese Summit and the establishment of the Partnership Forum between the League of Arab States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The summit also addressed matters pertaining to the economy, society, media, and law. It discussed climate change concerns, the revised Arab Human Rights Strategy (first periodic review in 2024), and the collaborative Arab media strategy to counter terrorism. Additionally, the summit focused on methods to uphold Arab national security and reviewed resolutions presented by the Economic and Social Council, alongside various other topics.
