It explained that this convergence reflects the coherence of the priorities of joint Arab work in the environmental, agricultural, and developmental fields, and the common understanding of the importance of pastures in the system of interdependence between the environment, agriculture, water, food security, and the livelihoods of rural communities.
It confirmed that the preservation of pastures is no longer a sectoral issue, but has become a responsibility that requires the integration of policies and the enhancement of coordination between different sectors, pointing out that this approach is gaining additional importance in light of the United Nations' declaration of the current year as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, alongside the convening of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Mongolia, which placed rangeland issues at the top of the international agenda.
The draft agenda of the meeting includes 21 items, distributed over two main axes, in addition to the report of the Technical Secretariat on the follow-up of the implementation of the decisions of the previous session of the Council and its activity during the intersessional period.
The first axis discussed the follow-up of international agreements and meetings concerned with the environment, foremost of which are the outcomes of the 24th meeting of the Arab Group on Biodiversity and Combating Desertification, the results of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, nature-based solutions, and the interdependence of water, agriculture, and environmental policies, in addition to the follow-up of international agreements related to chemicals, waste, and ozone.
The axis addressed issues of climate change, including the coordination of the Arab negotiating position in preparation for the 31st Conference of the Parties, alongside topics of sustainable production and consumption, preparation for the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development, the High-Level Political Forum, and the United Nations Environment Assembly.
The second axis dealt with issues of Arab environmental affairs, including the Arab Environment Forum and the Arab Environment Facility, the environmental situation in the State of Palestine and Arab countries facing environmental disasters, the Arab Environment Capital, the Council's award, in addition to the proposal for the focus of the 38th session and the slogan of the Arab Environment Day for the years 2027 and 2028.
The meeting also discussed the report on environmental expectations in the Arab region, the topic of the blue economy, and frameworks for international cooperation in a number of environmental and developmental fields.
The General Secretariat confirmed that the recommendations that will be issued by the Technical Committee represent the basis for the Council's decisions, expressing its aspiration that the deliberations will contribute to formulating clear and implementable proposals, thereby strengthening the unified Arab position in international forums and translating common priorities into practical programs.
