Cairo, Oct. 5 (Petra) — Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy
said water and food security are an integral part of comprehensive
Arab national security, and that water and food must not be used as
tools of war or political pressure.
Fahmy underscored that Arab water rights are a matter of sovereignty
and security, and also an area for cooperation that serves shared
interests.
He spoke at the launch of the 14th Arab Report on Cultural
Development, issued by the Arab Thought Foundation under the title
“Arab Food and Water Security: Accumulated Crises and Promising
Initiatives.” The League’s General Secretariat hosted the event at
its headquarters in Cairo.
Fahmy stressed the need to move from managing crises after they occur
to anticipating and preparing for them. He explained that the General
Secretariat is developing an Arab early warning and foresight system
that links water, food and climate security indicators to political,
economic, social and security dimensions.
He noted that Arab integration in this field has become a practical
necessity. He underlined that it requires drawing on the diverse
capabilities and expertise of Arab states and building a joint Arab
capacity that is better prepared and more effective in confronting
risks and challenges.
Fahmy concluded his speech by stressing that the event should not end
with the report’s launch. He said it should serve as a starting point
for turning the report’s ideas and recommendations into practical
proposals that support joint Arab action institutions and mechanisms.
//Petra// NQ
