DUBAI: Algeria is hosting the 31st summit of the Arab League on Tuesday and Wednesday, with topics on food security and the Palestinian issue likely to be topping the conference’s agenda.
The 22-member Arab League last held its summit in 2019, before the outbreak of the coronavirus. In the years since, new challenges have drastically reshaped the region’s agenda, with the establishment of diplomatic ties between Israel and four more Arab League countries, as well as the fallout of the war in Ukraine.
All those issues are expected to take center stage during Algeria’s debut hosting of the summit.
Chief among the summit’s discussion points will likely be the food and energy crises aggravated by the conflict in eastern Europe.
The crisis has had devastating consequences for Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia, among other Arab countries, struggling to import enough wheat and fuel to satisfy their population.
The past month has seen the worst drought in several decades ravage swaths off Somalia, bringing some areas of the country to the brink of famine.
Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit called Friday for an “integrated Arab vision” to tackle the pressing food security challenges.
The Palestinian crisis is also expected to top the summit agenda.
Previously, Algerian Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane said that the Arab meeting would be an occasion “to reaffirm support for the Palestinian cause, as a central Arab cause.”
Algeria took the presidency of the Council of the League of Arab States from Tunisia.
The main roads of Algiers have been decked out with Arab flags and huge billboards welcoming “brother Arabs.”

(With AP)