Cairo, August 30 (QNA) – The preparatory meetings for the 118th session of the Arab Economic and Social Council started on Sunday at the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States’ (LAS) headquarters in Cairo.

Set to be held at a ministerial level on Thursday, the session will discuss several key topics. The agenda includes covering joint economic, social and development Arab work to bring about Arab integration and cooperation.

This includes supporting Palestinian economy and Arab strategy to support mechanisms of work inspection and qualifying Syria’s labor sector in its rehabilitation phase and reconstruction.

It topics also include supporting the Industrial and Commercial Institute to support exports in Yemen within the framework of an economic rehabilitation and reconstruction plan, and Arab food security conditions, in addition to following up on the implementation of the Arab Program for Sustainable Food Security, the Strategy for Sustainable Arab Agricultural Development 2020-2030, the Arab Strategy for Sustainable Management of Rangeland Resources 2020-2040, and the Arab Strategy for Aquaculture (2018-2037).

The 118th session will touch on several other topics suggested to be included in the economic and social file of the LAS Council at a summit level in its 35th regular session set to be held next year in Saudi Arabia, in addition to discussing Arab and international cooperation in the social and development fields, as well as reports and decisions of specialized Arab ministerial councils and the technical and permanent committees.

The session will also discuss following up on Arab efforts aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, in addition to discussing updates and accomplishments regarding the Greater Arab Free Trade Area and developments of the Arab Customs Union. (QNA)