Amman (Petra) - Speakers at the fourth session of the high-level Arab-International Conference discussed Arab trends for implementing the declaration of the Second World Summit for Social Development in a session titled "Arab Trends for Implementing the Doha Declaration." Tunisian Minister of Social Affairs Issam Lahmar, chairing the session, emphasized the role of the Arab Labor Organization (ALO) as a hub for developing social programs and labor relations. He stressed the necessity of transitioning to an integrated plan for human advancement across all Arab countries and incorporating the Doha Declaration into International Labour Organization (ILO) programs, conventions, and recommendations to enhance its regional and global adoption.

Director-General of the Arab Labor Organization Fayez Al-Mutairi underscored the need to strengthen integration between employment policies and social protection. He called for making decent work for youth and women a priority in the Arab response to the declaration.

Al-Mutairi also urged the acceleration of job creation in promising sectors, modernizing vocational education and training to align with future job skills, and supporting the transition from the informal to the formal economy. He further advocated for integrating decent work into national policies and strengthening trilateral social dialogue to achieve justice and economic inclusion.

Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers Khaled Hanafi emphasized the need to move from "description to practical and comprehensive implementation" of the Doha Declaration. He stressed empowering individuals to access markets and build sustainable income while involving the private sector in social inclusion systems. Hanafi called for the establishment of an international platform to unify and transform social spending into an economic return, integrating individuals into value and production chains, and addressing the supply-demand mismatch in the labor market through collective international cooperation.

Director General of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Mohammed bin Hassan Al-Obaidli, highlighted the bureau's role in systematically following up on summit outcomes. He noted side sessions held to discuss enhancing social protection for workers, coordination between labor-exporting and receiving countries, and transforming recommendations into actionable executive programs.

Kholoud Saif, head of Qatar's Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF), highlighted Qatar’s commitment to developing labor and social protection systems in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. She noted the fund’s role in protecting workers’ rights, ensuring swift payment of entitlements, and enhancing stability and trust among production partners, reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to Arab efforts for comprehensive social protection and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.

Amal Mowafy, ILO Country Coordinator for Jordan and Regional Senior Employment Policy Specialist, stated that summit commitments hold special significance for the Arab region.

She noted that the ILO has been assigned a leadership role in implementing summit outcomes using the trilateral approach. She emphasized that successful implementation rests on national ownership, inclusivity, and social dialogue to ensure decent work, social protection, and human dignity for all.

//Petra// AF