Baghdad: The Executive Bureau of the Arab Council for Population and Development held its meeting today in Iraq, with participation from its members representing various Arab countries.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the meeting was chaired by the Syrian Charg© d'Affaires, Rami Rabie, who highlighted the significant impact of recent crises and conflicts in the Arab region on the demographic landscape, particularly affecting women and children. He emphasized the necessity of enhancing collaborative efforts to develop population strategies that align with sustainable development goals.

Iraqi representative, Dr. Maher Hammad Johaan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Planning for Technical Affairs, remarked on the significance of hosting the meeting in Baghdad during a critical period for Arab states. He noted the potential to adopt an integrated approach linking population and development, citing Iraq's recent experiences as a model.

The Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ambassador Abdul Hussein Al-Hindawi, underscored the importance of the meeting's agenda, including preparations for the 2026 Arab Population Day. He highlighted the focus on youth's role in promoting peace and development, noting that they constitute approximately 30% of the Arab population.

The meeting also addressed issues such as the population policy report, the role of family planning in sustainable development, preparations for artificial intelligence economies, and forming a unified Arab stance for the UN Commission on Population and Development meetings. Additionally, it examined the effects of wars and conflicts on families and populations in the Arab region.