Cairo, Sept. 13 (Petra) -- The 52nd session of the Arab Labor Conference opened in Cairo on Sunday under Jordan's presidency, drawing delegations from 21 Arab countries.
The conference, organized by the Arab Labor Organization (ALO) under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, brings together labor ministers, representatives of the three production parties governments, employers and workers and officials from regional and international organizations.
Conference President and Jordanian Transport and Labor Minister Nidal Qatamin said dialogue, cooperation and integration among the three production parties offer the best path to addressing the challenges facing the Arab region.
Qatamin said this year's ALO report, titled "Sustainable Economic Growth: Toward Comprehensive and Equitable Social Development in Arab Countries," examines policies for achieving sustainable growth while balancing economic expansion with social justice.
He said growth strengthens economic and social stability and the capacity to withstand crises when governments, employers and workers integrate their roles and support governance, innovation and investment in human capital.
He voiced pride in Jordan's presidency of the session, calling it a platform for constructive dialogue among the production parties aimed at producing actionable recommendations that place workers at the center of development while balancing growth demands with workers' rights and employers' interests.
Qatamin said the agenda covers two major issues: climate change and its economic and social effects on the work environment, and the role of startups amid digital transformation as a lever for diversifying income sources, tackling unemployment and creating innovative jobs that support sustainable growth.
He said the Palestinian cause remains the foremost priority for Jordan and the Arab world, affirming that Jordan's leadership, government and people stand with Palestinians, and praised the ALO's role in supporting their resilience.
ALO Director-General Fayez Al-Mutairi said the report offers an analytical reading of the relationship between economic growth and social justice and outlines practical pathways for translating growth gains into tangible outcomes.
He said the report highlights the importance of partnership among the three production parties and social dialogue, stresses linking education and skills development policies to labor market needs, and calls for better use of technology.
The report also backs the green transition as a development pathway and a source of new jobs, he said, along with fairer and more sustainable resource mobilization and financing to support balanced economic and social impact and help Arab countries manage current challenges and seize opportunities.
At the close of the opening session, Al-Mutairi presented a commemorative shield to Qatamin in recognition of his efforts supporting joint Arab labor action and in honor of Jordan's presidency of the conference.
//Petra// NQ
