Decision on Afro-Arab Cooperation

DECISION ON AFRO-ARAB COOPERATION
DOC. EX.CL/ 438(XI 11)

The Executive Council:

1. TAKES NOTE of the Report of the Commission on the Afro-Arab Cooperation;

2. ACKNOWLEDGES the important role to be played by the Private Sectors and the Civil Societies of the two regions in revitalizing and further consolidating Afro-Arab Cooperation;

3. COMMENDS the Commission of the African Union (AU) and the Secretariat of the League of Arab States (LAS) for the timely initiative taken in developing a mechanism to ensure full involvement of non-governmental actors in planning, implementation and monitoring of Afro-Arab programs and projects;

4. RECALLS the decision of the 20^th Arab Summit held in Damascus, Syria from 29 to 30 March 2008, welcoming the establishment of the Afro-Arab Development Forum;

5. DECIDES on the establishment of the Afro-Arab Development Forum where African and Arab Professional Associations, Researchers, Civil Societies, Private Sectors, Prominent individuals, will meet and discuss issues of common concern to the two regions and ENDORSES the Framework and Modalities for the establishment of the Forum adopted by the 3^rd AU/LAS Inter­secretariat Consultative Meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in December 2007;

6. CALLS UPON the Chairperson of the Commission and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States to commence preparation for the inaugural session of the Forum to be held during the 4^th quarter of 2008;

7. WELCOMES the reaffirmation by the Great Jamahiriya of its offer to host the 13^th Meeting of the Standing Committee of Afro-Arab Cooperation and REQUESTS the Chairperson of the Commission to consult with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States on the necessary arrangements for the holding of the said Session;

8. REQUESTS the Commission in collaboration with the LAS Secretariat and the Permanent Representatives' Committee (PRC), through its Sub-Committee on Multilateral Cooperation, to prepare the necessary documentation pertaining to Afro-Arab Cooperation, including a draft joint strategy and action plan addressing areas of mutual interest including Peace and Security, Economic Cooperation and Investment;

9. REQUESTS the Commission to convene a meeting of the twelve (12) African countries with a view to elaborating a common position before the meeting of the Standing Committee;

10. ALSO REQUESTS the Commission and the LAS Secretariat to make the necessary preparations for the convening of the Afro-Arab Summit;

11. FURTHER REQUESTS the Commission to report to the PRC on proposed institutional cooperation mechanisms between the AU and LAS, as well as the activities of joint Afro-Arab institutions including proposals to further improve their work;

12. UNDERSCORES the need for regular consultations between African and Arab Ambassadors in selected Capitals and Cities, in particular in Addis Ababa, Cairo, Brussels, Geneva, New York and Washington with a view to coordinating actions and, where possible, harmonizing positions on global and regional issues of common concern;

13. ENDORSES the establishment of Afro-Arab Committees of Ambassadors in identified and other capitals and cities where the African Union and the League of Arab States have representations;

14. CALLS UPON Heads of all Permanent Delegations and Diplomatic Missions of the African Union and the League of Arab States to work hand in hand for the establishment and proper functioning of the Committees.