By Hend GadAllah

On Thursday, May 27, via video conference, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth & Sports and Head of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers, inaugurated the 44th session of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers’ meeting at the headquarters of the Arab League.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General, Head of the Social Affairs Sector at the Arab League, Mr. Munir Ahmed Al-Wajih, Yemeni Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, President of the next session of the Council with the participation of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports. 

He delivered a speech during the meeting opening in which he welcomed all the ministers in the regular session to discuss joint Arab programs and projects during the next year. They hope to achieve the objectives and policies of the Council, in addition to assessing what had already been implemented activities, and measuring the extent of their impact on youth in various Arab countries.

"We - the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers - meet to exchange visions, ideas, and perspectives on what our Arab youth need under the umbrella of the Arab League. We agree to develop specific programs and policies aimed at empowering youth and enhancing their role in the development process, in a way that contributes to exchange experiences and cultures with an emphasis on rooting correct values and concepts, and clarifying the efforts made by Arab governments.’’ He added.

He also thanked the youth who played an important role in dealing with the Corona pandemic as they helped to cleanse and sterilize public places, mosques, and various institutions and educate citizens on the precautionary measures. 

He concluded, “"In light of organizing events for the Excellence Competition for Arab Youth launched by the Arab League to discover distinguished and creative people in many fields on the sidelines of the meetings of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers in its 45th session next year. The events will be held in One of the most beautiful Egyptian coastal cities, "Hurghada", according to what was agreed upon in the Executive Office of the Council at the 66th session.

The head of the executive office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports confirmed that they pay a special attention to develop youth skills and capabilities, achieving their demands, and providing them with all services in a way that contributes to spreading balanced intellectual awareness. He also announced the council support to the Palestinian people in defending their land and their inalienable and historical rights, indicating that the council denounces and condemns Israeli practices and the systematic assault on the Palestinian people. He signified the Egyptian efforts led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his great role in appeasing the crisis.