Heads of delegations participating in the 34th Arab Summit, which kicked off in Baghdad today, Saturday, take commemorative photos. (Photo: @IraqiPMO / X)
High-level delegations and international guests gather for crucial regional talks
BAGHDAD, Iraq — The 34th Arab League Summit opened today in Baghdad, drawing an array of Arab leaders and international envoys as the region grapples with escalating violence in Gaza and renewed efforts to promote political unity and cooperation.
Against a backdrop of humanitarian crisis and geopolitical strain, the summit is viewed as a pivotal moment for the Arab world to assert a unified stance on regional conflicts, particularly the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement in March.
The summit is being held under tight security, reflecting both the significance of the meeting and the volatile regional climate. Iraq’s capital, hosting the summit for the first time in over a decade, emphasized its commitment to becoming a central diplomatic player in the Arab world.
#BREAKING: The 34th Arab Summit begins in Baghdad, bringing regional leaders together to address the crisis in Gaza and other pressing issues, following US President Donald Trump's recent Gulf tour.
📸: Iraqi PM office pic.twitter.com/iB8KWEB0La
— Zoom News (@zoomnewskrd) May 17, 2025
Key Arab Leaders in Attendance
Several heads of state and senior government figures are representing Arab nations. Among the prominent attendees:
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Qatar – Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
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Palestine – President Mahmoud Abbas
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Egypt – President Abdel Fattah El Sisi
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Yemen – President Rashad Al Alimi
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Somalia – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
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Jordan – Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan
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Lebanon – Prime Minister Nawaf Salam
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UAE – Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed
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Saudi Arabia – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al Jubeir
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Kuwait – Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Abdullah
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Syria – Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani
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Libya – Ambassador Abdelmutalib Thabet
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Others – High-level representation from Oman, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Comoros, and Morocco
Mauritania was notably absent from the summit, with no official representative reported.
Global Diplomacy on Display
The summit also welcomed a host of high-profile international guests, reflecting the broader geopolitical significance of the Arab League’s role in regional stability. Notable attendees include:
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
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Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit
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Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha
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African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
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EU Special Envoy Luigi Di Maio
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Russia’s Presidential Envoy Mikhail Bogdanov
A Summit of Urgency and Opportunity
In his opening address, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid stressed the need for collective Arab action to bring an end to the suffering in Gaza and called for renewed commitments to peace, reconstruction, and political reform across the region.
With over 250 Palestinians reportedly killed in recent Israeli airstrikes, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaling intensified military operations, the Gaza conflict dominated early summit discussions. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for immediate international intervention and support for a ceasefire.
Agenda: Beyond Gaza
While Gaza remains central, the summit is also addressing:
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The political and humanitarian crises in Yemen and Sudan
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Economic integration and infrastructure cooperation
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Energy security and climate resilience
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Combating extremism and cyber threats
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Enhancing Arab representation in international institutions
A Regional Crossroads
Analysts view the summit as a potential turning point for the Arab League, which has often faced criticism for its lack of decisive action. With key Gulf nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia participating alongside countries such as Syria and Palestine, Baghdad’s gathering presents a rare moment of inclusivity amid deep political divides.
Despite the summit’s strong rhetoric and symbolic value, much depends on the follow-through of resolutions adopted over the next two days.
As Prime Minister Sanchez and Secretary-General Guterres both emphasized in their remarks, “words must now translate into coordinated actions” if peace, dignity, and stability are to return to the region.
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