Jordanian MPs: Baghdad Summit is Significant, Its Decisions Will Positively Impact the Arab world
Several members of the Jordanian House of Representatives welcomed the convening of the Arab Summit in Baghdad, affirming its success and the positive reflection of its resolutions on the Arab world.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee in the Jordanian House of Representatives, Shaher Shatnawi, said: 'The Arab world in particular, and the world in general, is going through exceptional circumstances, especially during these critical times, as the Arab region faces challenges, whether in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, or Sudan.'
He stated that 'the Arab Summit to be held in Baghdad will be exceptional and will have a significant impact, marking a pivotal moment that will determine many issues of concern to the Arab world and the international community as a whole.'
He added that 'the Baghdad Summit will reflect positively on the region and the Arab world. It is an opportunity to improve Arab-Arab relations as well as Arab-international relations, and to resolve many of the problems facing the Arab world in general.'
The Chairman of the Public Services and Transportation Committee in the Jordanian House of Representatives, Ayman Ouda Al-Badawda, said that the Arab Summit, scheduled for May 17 in Baghdad, reaffirms the unity and solidarity of Arab leaders in response to the ongoing crises in the region, particularly in Palestine, Syria, and Sudan, which call for the convening of such a summit.
He expressed his support for the summit in Baghdad, highlighting its role in uniting the Arab people and fostering greater solidarity through decisions that benefit the Arab community, while affirming the anticipated success of the summit.
For his part, Jordanian Member of Parliament Aoun Al-Zoubi stated that "the upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad carries profound messages and significant implications, symbolizing Iraq's restoration of its pivotal and Arab identity, with the return of the heart of the Arab world." He added that "the summit will achieve the desired results and outcomes."
He continued, saying: "In Jordan, both leadership and people, as well as Parliament, are fully committed to the success of this summit, standing alongside our brother country- Iraq in ensuring its success and restoring its pivotal and historical role in the Arab nation."
Jordanian Member of Parliament for the Zarqa Governorate, Hayel Ayash, said, "This is a historic opportunity for the Arab states with the summit being held in Baghdad, the heart of Arabism and the homeland we take pride in."
He emphasized, "We take pride in our brotherly Iraq, a country with a strong presence in the Arab world, and we hope that this summit will achieve positive results for our entire Arab nation."
He added, "The summit is being held under difficult circumstances, amidst the fierce war on Gaza and the volatile situation in the region, including developments in Yemen, Lebanon, and the new conditions in Syria." He affirmed that "the outcomes of this summit will be positive for the benefit of our Arab peoples."
He noted that "there is high expectation from the leaders, presidents, and kings of Arab countries at this summit, with the aim of achieving positive results that will renew hope in the strength of our Arab nation and its commitment to serving its people." He emphasized the need for "decisions to be effectively implemented, ensuring that the Arab citizen can feel the tangible outcomes of these decisions, and thus restoring confidence in both the Arab League and its summits."
He added that "amidst the challenging circumstances, all Arab countries, with their leaders and presidents, are resolute in their commitment to organizing the Arab ranks in order to ensure that we become a significant and influential voice in the world."
The Iraqi capital, Baghdad, will host the Arab Summit on May 17, 2025, marking a new chapter that reflects Iraq's renewed presence in the Arab scene, following its hosting of summits in 1978, 1990, and 2012.
It is expected that leaders, kings, and heads of government from twenty-two Arab countries will participate in the summit, alongside heads of international and UN organizations, as well as senior officials from the member states of the Arab League.
The summit will address key issues related to Arab national security, regional political challenges, as well as sustainable development, economic cooperation, and integration in response to regional and international crises.
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Memri
3 hours ago
- Memri
The Philippines Position In The South China Sea; There Cannot Be Dialogue When China Habitually Peddles Lies
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) recently concluded its annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.[1] The Shangri-La Dialogue is widely regarded as the premier defense summit for the Indo-Pacific region. With representatives from 47 countries in attendance, the forum provides a platform for defense ministers, military leaders, and senior officials to discuss regional security challenges. Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro was among the keynote speakers of the event. In his address, Teodoro outlined the Philippines' position on three key issues: the evolving role and limitations of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations; the Philippine's position amid the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry; and the reasons why the Philippines' acts the way it does amid China's illegal territorial grab in the South China Sea. During the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue 2025, which took place on May 30-June 1, 2025 in Singapore, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. responded to questions raised by Chinese delegates concerning maritime tensions in the region. He said that the questions were in fact "disguised" propaganda and he highlighted the increasing gap between China's statements and its actions in the West Philippine Sea. Video footage of the session was posted to Facebook by the Philippine Department of National Defense on June 2, 2025. (See MEMRI TV clip No. 12063, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. At Shangri-La Conference: The Gap Between China's Words And Actions In The West Philippine Sea Is Growing, June 2, 2025) The State Of Multilateral Institutions For the past 80 years, the rules-based international order upheld by the United Nations and other multilateral institutions has fostered global stability that allowed nations to thrive in relative peace. In Asia, it paved the way for the post-war recovery and economic success of Japan, South Korea, and those in Southeast Asia. But the world is changing. Global interconnectedness – through migration, trade, and security alliances – has never been greater. The war in Ukraine, for example, has driven up energy and commodity prices across Asia. The conflict between Israel and certain terrorist groups in the Arab world has disrupted supply chains around the world. Furthermore, tensions in strategic chokepoints like the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait and the South China Sea send ripples through global trade. In today's world, events in one region inevitably have consequences far beyond their borders. Amid recent conflicts and disputes, multilateral institutions have faced increased stress in maintaining peace and security. The mechanisms which were once effective in blocking acts of aggression and in restoring order are no longer as effective as they used to be. This is attributed to gridlocks in decision making, the failure to promote dialogue among disputing parties and the snail's pace by which reforms adapting to change are carried out. Legal and normative gaps are widening in the resolution of territorial disputes, in cybersecurity breaches, in protecting underwater infrastructure, in regulating artificial intelligence, and in the proliferation of lethal autonomous weapons – just to name a few. Under the current system, the inability of multilateral institutions to arrive at peaceful resolutions has become the norm, rather than the exception. This underscores the need for reforms that reflect today's realities. To this, Secretary Teodoro offers three recommendations: -First, enhance inter-regional security cooperation. This can be done by increasing dialogue among regional blocks such as the EU, ASEAN, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on shared security concerns. -Second, establish a revised legal framework, grounded on the rule of law, that is fit-for-purpose for the issues that face us today. Such a legal framework is to be jointly and cooperatively enforced by member countries. -Third, the inordinate veto privilege of powerful countries must be curtailed since its exercise is often a hindrance to the interest of the world at large. The Philippines advocates greater representation of smaller states, particularly in the UN Security Council. The Philippines commits to advocate constructive solutions if and when it is elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2027-2028. In the end, there is no alternative for the rules-based-order to maintain peace, security, and the continued prosperity of the world. We must improve the framework we already have. The Proxy War China sent no top defense officials to the Shangri-La Dialogue.[2] Instead, the Chinese delegation was led by representatives from the National Defense University. Its mission was to inject Chinese propaganda messages into the forum. One of them asked the Philippine Defense Secretary why the Philippines is allowing itself to be a proxy of America amid the U.S.-China "cold war." Secretary Teodoro emphasized that while the U.S.-China rivalry is raging, it must not be made the overarching narrative of all conflicts. Doing so unfairly portrays the legitimate actions of states like the Philippines as being done at the behest of stronger powers. It undermines the agency of smaller states. Secretary Teodoro also reiterated that the Philippine's actions in the South China Sea are not a function of the U.S.-China rivalry. Rather, they are a result of China's overreach in its nine-, ten-, or 11-dash line, which changes according to China's need, which is illegal and has no basis in international law. China's Territorial Grab Another CCP outfit asserted that while Malaysia and Vietnam have disputes with China, both manage their difference through peaceful dialogue, so why couldn't the Philippines do the same? To this, Secretary Teodoro's responded with barbed, elegant clarity. Let me quote him verbatim: "Thank you for the propaganda spiels disguised as questions. First, the comparison between the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam. Let us not forget that while we are members of ASEAN, we are [all] sovereign countries, each with their own territorial integrity and sovereignty. And I am sure that if what China is doing to the Philippines is done to Malaysia or to any ASEAN country, you will see a different reaction [from them]. And certainly, as an ASEAN brother, the Philippines will stand up with that ASEAN brother in [their] time of need – in support and in defense of what is international law and UNCLOS. As members of UNCLOS, we are all committed to support it. "On the dialogue with China, unfortunately, in my personal opinion, the fact that the question was asked in the way it was, engenders a deficit of trust in China's words vis-à-vis its actions. "Just look back to 1995 to a place called Mischief Reef.[3] There were a few bamboo structures erected there, and China said that these were temporary havens for fisherfolk. Now you have an artificial military island, heavily militarized. "China says that it has peaceful intentions. Why does it continue to deny the Philippines its rightful provenance under international law and UNCLOS? And as proof of this, we do not stand alone. No country in the world supports the nine dash line claim of China or the idea that waters within this nine dash line are internal waters of China. "Several countries in the world, no less than 50, have joined the Philippines in condemning China's behavior in the South China Sea. None have agreed with China and none has condemned the Philippines for standing up against China in the face of a threat to its territorial integrity and sovereignty for which I thank the members of this chamber right now for your support. "And thus, for dialogue to be effective, it must be coupled with trust. And China has a lot of trust-building to do to be an effective negotiating partner in dispute settlement. We have to call a spade a spade. And that's what we see, and that is the biggest stumbling block to dispute resolution or dialogue with China – that deficit of trust which I think any rational person or any person that is not ideologically biased with freedom of thought and freedom of speech, will agree with me."[4] Chinese Hypocrisy China wants to convey two messages to the world. First, that it indeed possesses sovereign and legal rights over the South China Sea by virtue of its self-conjured non-dash line. Second, that the Philippines is obstructing China from exercising its rights by engaging in legal maneuvers and provocative activities, aided by the United States and other countries that lean toward western doctrine. China cannot have it both ways. It cannot illegally grab the sovereign territories of another nation and also play the victim. It cannot call for dialogue and cooperation when it systematically employs grey-zone tactics like firing laser guns, attacking with water cannons, and illegally boarding Philippine inflatable boats and slashing them with knives. There cannot be dialogue when China habitually peddles lies (e.g., the Mischief Reef narrative)[5] and disinformation (e.g., that the Philippines is acting as a proxy of the United States). There cannot be cooperation when China uses coercion to bully its adversaries into submission. This is the reason why the Philippines acts as it does. It was the lone country, among the many claimants of parts of the South China Sea, with the courage to take China to court and win. It is in the forefront in exposing China's bad behavior. It is leading the way in advocating the rule-based order as a means of settling disputes. Hence, the Philippine's reaction toward China is not one born out of emotion or malevolent intentions. Rather, its reaction is pragmatic with the view of defending its sovereign rights. To sum up, Secretary Teodoro's talk highlighted not only the Philippines' commitment to upholding the rules-based order but also the important role of multilateral institutions in addressing global conflicts. As the world continues to change, it is imperative that multilateral institutions evolve to remain effective. Reform – particularly in enhancing representativeness, adapting legal frameworks to modern realities and fostering meaningful cooperation across regions – is essential to maintaining peace. The Philippines stands ready to contribute to these efforts, anchored in the belief that a stronger, more responsive rules-based order remains the best foundation for lasting peace and shared prosperity. *Andrew J. Masigan is the MEMRI China Media Studies Project Special Advisor. He is a Manila-based economist, businessman, and political columnist for The Philippine Star. Masigan's articles in MEMRI are also published in The Philippine Star.
Iraq Business
19 hours ago
- Iraq Business
UN praises Iraq's drive towards "More Stability, More Prosperity"
By John Lee. Dr. Mohamed Al Hassan, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, delivered a briefing to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, at the start of which he highlighted " Iraq's drive towards more stability, more prosperity, and closer regional integration. " With just over six months remaining before UNAMI's mandate ends, Dr Hassan assured members that the UN Mission continues to pursue a structured transition according to schedule. He added: "I wish to reiterate my confidence in the resilience of the Iraqi people and the determination of their leaders. Iraq is a nation of profound history, strength, potential, and pride. By working together, Iraqis can continue to make meaningful strides towards further stability, prosperity and human rights for all." Full text of the briefing: Madame President, Distinguished representatives of Council members, Allow me to begin by expressing my joy to seeing (a dear friend and colleague) preside over the work of the Council. Let me express my profound appreciation to members of this esteemed Council for their attention, support, and guidance. I am so delighted to seeing the distinguished representatives of Iraq and Kuwait participate in today's session. A word of gratitude must be given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his continued engagement in the Middle East, including his recent visit to Baghdad for the Arab Summit. Madame President, Distinguished Representatives, Between my last report, six months ago, and now so many things have happened in Iraq which I will not list here, however, with your permission, I would like to mention the most notable developments at the forefront of which is Iraq's drive towards more stability, more prosperity, and closer regional integration. My profound appreciation goes to the Government of Iraq for the humanitarian aid it has provided to the people of Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria. Not to mention, its support to the new peace initiative between Türkiye and the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which, if implemented in good faith, will bring peace, security, and stability to the region at large. Madame President, Distinguished Representatives, Iraq is well on its way to another national parliamentary election, set for 11thof November this year. Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), with UNAMI's technical support, are making notable progress in preparing for this election. Voter registration is set to conclude in the coming days and nearly three-quarters of total voters have completed biometric registration so far. Yes, there are challenges, including logistical concerns. But IHEC is committed to doing its best towards a free, fair and transparent election, with the participation of all Iraqis without fear and intimidation. UNAMI will spare no effort in providing the most professional technical support towards this end, including efforts to promote the widest participation of women, youth and minorities. Meanwhile, six months after the successful parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq last October, the formation of a regional government is still pending. Needless to say, a spirit of compromise, focusing on shared objectives rather than partisan divisions, is the key to overcome this protracted impasse. There is no doubt in my mind that the concerned parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will be able to form a competent government that will serve the interests of the people of Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Iraq at large. In here, I would further like to emphasize that the Baghdad-Erbil relationship is a partnership that necessitates ongoing dialogue and collaboration, grounded in the Constitution of Iraq, to effectively address and resolve any outstanding issues between the two sides. Madame President, Distinguished Representatives, More than 800 Iraqis returned ten days ago from al-Hol camp in northeast Syria to Al Amal center in Iraq, showing the Government of Iraq's commitment to accelerating the return process of its citizens with the support of the United Nations. It is nevertheless essential that adequate resources are invested in supporting a dignified reintegration of returning families, and in ensuring a fair judicial process for the detainees who are being repatriated. And, while Iraq continues to make important strides in addressing returns from northeast Syria, the situation of Iraq's internally displaced persons continues to demand urgent attention. Hundreds of thousands of individuals remain displaced in Iraq, including 100,000 primarily Yazidis from Sinjar who live in IDP camps and informal settlements throughout Iraq under precarious conditions. Yes, the Government of Iraq's recent recognition of Yazidis land rights, with over 1,300 ownership letters and nearly 100 title deeds distributed this year, was a significant milestone. The Iraqi government has also been proactive in offering compensation to Yazidi survivors and other minorities. However, creating sustainable conditions for the returns require more coherent political, administrative and security measures, in addition to significant investment in job creation and local services. The Government of Iraq needs to accelerate the adoption of a comprehensive national plan for durable solutions. The return process cannot just be physical relocation, it needs to be a meaningful process that rebuilds lives, livelihoods, and hope for the future. I say it loudly that the Yazidi's in Iraq have suffered immensely beyond description at the hands of ISIS, and we in the United Nations, through you and your support, call on those concerned in Iraq and the (neighboring countries) to take all necessary measure to protect this community and restore their dignity, respect, appreciation and rightful humanitarian standing. Especially given that, to this day, a number of Yazidi men and women remain in a state of near-forced captivity after Da'esh ravaged their lives, Iraq, and the region as a whole. We believe it is essential to end this injustice against the indigenous Iraqi Yazidi people and to ensure their return to their homes and areas with dignity and honor. Madame President, Distinguished Representatives, Commitment to human rights is at the heart of Iraq's stability and development. In January, Iraq was reviewed by the Human Rights Council under the Universal Periodic Review, a process designed to support and expand the promotion and protection of human rights in every country. A total of 263 recommendations are currently being considered by Iraq for adoption at the next session of the Human Rights Council. Progress is also being made on a draft law on minority rights and towards the adoption of a national strategy to counter hate speech. The United Nations is ready to continue supporting these and other human rights initiatives and engage with the Government of Iraq - our partner and the partner to the United Nations - in exploring options for continuing such support after UNAMI's departure. Among the files related to human rights that must be addressed immediately and without delay is the file of the missing individuals and those imprisoned without fair, transparent, and legal trials. However, our confidence in the Iraqi judiciary is very strong, and we hope that all these matters will be addressed according to Iraqi laws and regulations, in a way that restores hope to thousands of families who have long awaited news of the fate of their loved ones. We believe that the Iraq of the future must be reconciled with itself and its neighbors, and Iraq is capable of that, based on equality and justice for all. I mean here justice and equality for all Iraqi's regardless of their affiliation. This is the Iraq that we aspire to see, and we have total confidence in the ability of Iraq and Iraqis to achieve that. Madame President, Distinguished Representatives, Turning to the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals, I welcome the increase in field missions and the use of advanced technology to identify potential burial sites. However, there is a need to redouble these efforts, strengthen cooperation and coordination, including in the search for witnesses, towards finding the remains of the 300 Kuwaiti missing persons and provide long-overdue answers to their families. I also reiterate the importance to expedite the search to locate and return missing property, including the national archives of Kuwait, especially after the recent welcome decision to reactivate the Iraq-Kuwait joint committee on missing Kuwaiti property. On other outstanding issues between Iraq and Kuwait, the resumption of meetings of the Iraq-Kuwait joint technical and legal committees concerned with the delimitation of the maritime border beyond marker 162 is a welcome development. Continued efforts to rebuild trust and confidence between the two brotherly countries are essential for forging a more stable and cooperative future. We highly appreciate the positions of the Iraqi President and the Iraqi Prime Minister regarding the decision of the Supreme Constitutional Court regarding the so called "Khor Abdulla" agreement. We can only emphasize the importance of making decisions that contribute to maintaining security and stability, respecting the principles of the United Nations Charter, fostering good neighbourly relations, and refraining from interference in internal affairs. We also take this opportunity to reiterate UNAMI'S offer to extend its good offices in this regard should both sides request it. In this context, allow me to point a fact that the State of Kuwait was a victim of invasion... to turn the page on the past, there must be serious and joint efforts to restore confidence. This needs practical steps and promises translated into reality, away from politicization, with focus on what unites the two countries and the brotherly people, in a way that strengthens partnership and positive relations, and promotes unity over division. Madame President, Distinguished Representatives, With just over six months remaining before UNAMI's mandate ends, I would like to assure members of the Council that the Mission continues to pursue a structured transition according to schedule and in close cooperation with the Government of Iraq, whom I would like to warmly thank for their help, assistance and coordination. I would also like to report to the esteemed Council that we have closed UNAMI's offices in Mosul and Kirkuk and we are gradually reducing our staffing levels, seeking to balance the Mission drawdown with our continuing mandated tasks, and this, as you are aware, in a context of serious financial constraints impacting the United Nations as a whole. I wish to reiterate my confidence in the resilience of the Iraqi people and the determination of their leaders. Iraq is a nation of profound history, strength, potential, and pride. By working together, Iraqis can continue to make meaningful strides towards further stability, prosperity and human rights for all. I conclude my remarks by reiterating my complete confidence in Iraq and Iraqi people and the ability of this ancient nation, which is among the founders of the United Nations, to reclaim its civilization status. We in the United Nations are committed to support and assist Iraq and the Iraqi people to the best of our ability, and we will spare no effort in achieving that, based on our belief in this country, its capabilities and the potential of its people. Thank you. (Source: UN)
Iraq Business
2 days ago
- Iraq Business
Iraq offers support for Lebanese Investors and Workers
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr Ahmed Al-Asadi, has confirmed his country's readiness to provide all possible facilitation for Lebanese workers in Iraq, provided that they comply with legal procedures designed to ensure their rights and protection. The remarks were made during a meeting with Lebanon's Minister of Labour, Dr Mohammad Bahjat Haidar, on the sidelines of the 113th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. The two ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in investment and encouraging Lebanese business owners to return to invest in Lebanon. Mr Al-Asadi acknowledged the impact of Lebanon's economic crisis on capital flows, especially in light of past failures in the banking sector. However, he affirmed Iraq's commitment to supporting Lebanon's economic recovery by encouraging Iraqi investors to explore opportunities there. He described investment as fundamental to national development, noting that Iraq has seen significant investment-driven growth over the past two to three years. On the subject of foreign and Arab workers in Iraq, Al-Asadi highlighted concerns about the large number of workers entering the country illegally. He stated that Iraq's Council of Ministers has issued a decision to regularise the status of such workers, enabling them to obtain residency and register with the Ministry of Labour. This step ensures their eligibility for legal wages, social security registration, and broader labour rights. The Minister reiterated Iraq's openness to Lebanese labour, stressing the importance of legal registration as a guarantee for protection and rights. (Source: Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs)
