The Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO), represented by a delegation headed by H.E. Eng. Khalid Cherkaoui, Director General of the Organization, participated in the proceedings of the 118th Regular Session of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States at the ministerial level. The session was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo, with the participation of ministers and representatives of Arab States and Arab specialized organizations, from 30 August to 3 September 2026.
The Organization's participation reflects its commitment to continuing its active contribution to the work of the bodies of the League of Arab States and to strengthening coordination and integration with the General Secretariat, Arab States, and Arab specialized organizations, in support of the Arab joint action process and the development of the Arab civil aviation sector and its role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The session addressed a number of priority economic, social, and development issues and files, against the backdrop of the rapid transformations and challenges facing the Arab region and the world. These included issues related to economic integration, sustainable development, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and food security, in addition to a number of topics aimed at strengthening joint Arab action.
In this context, H.E. Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, emphasized, during his first participation before the Economic and Social Council at the ministerial level since assuming his duties, the importance of moving from the stage of developing strategies and visions to that of effective implementation and the achievement of tangible results, through the establishment of clear objectives and mechanisms for implementation, follow-up, and the measurement of outcomes.
The Secretary-General noted that the rapid developments in the fields of artificial intelligence and digital transformation require Arab States to intensify coordination and adopt a systematic approach to thinking and planning, while making effective use of the opportunities offered by these developments in a manner that responds to the needs and aspirations of Arab citizens. He stressed that artificial intelligence is no longer merely a theoretical subject, but has become an area that requires serious engagement with its challenges and effective utilization of the opportunities it presents.
He also called for the adoption of an Arab model for comprehensive development that takes into account the specific characteristics of the region and the requirements of the current stage, advances sustainable development across its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, and contributes to building societies that are better equipped to keep pace with future transformations.
In this regard, the Secretary-General underscored the importance of developing the mechanisms of joint Arab action and strengthening the role of Arab institutions and specialized organizations as centres of expertise capable of transforming initiatives and visions into implementable programmes and sustainable policies, thereby promoting institutional integration and enhancing the efficiency of joint Arab action.
These orientations are of particular relevance to the Arab civil aviation sector, in light of the rapid transformations affecting the industry in areas such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and innovation, as well as the opportunities these developments offer to enhance the efficiency of air transport, improve services, and raise standards of safety, security, and sustainability.
Within this framework, the Arab Civil Aviation Organization continues its efforts, as the specialized Arab centre of expertise in the field of civil aviation, to support Arab States in developing sectoral policies and strategies, strengthening coordination and the exchange of expertise, building capacities, and keeping pace with the rapid developments taking place in the civil aviation sector at both the regional and international levels.
The Organization's participation in the proceedings of the Economic and Social Council also forms part of its continued active engagement within the framework of joint Arab action and reflects its commitment to following up on decisions and recommendations relevant to the work of Arab specialized organizations, contributing to enhanced institutional coordination and supporting the development of working mechanisms that facilitate the implementation of approved programmes and plans.
The participation of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization in the 118th Session of the Economic and Social Council reaffirms its commitment to continuing its contribution to the efforts of joint Arab action and to strengthening the position of the civil aviation sector within the broader economic and social development agenda, given its strategic role in connecting Arab States and contributing to the promotion of trade, investment, tourism, and sustainable development.
This participation also reflects the Organization's commitment to keeping pace with the new orientations emerging across the Arab region, particularly in the fields of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development, and to translating these orientations into practical initiatives and programmes that serve the future of Arab civil aviation and respond to the aspirations of Arab States.