Arab social affairs ministers meet in Cairo

The Council of Arab Social Affairs Ministers started its 18th session here on Tuesday to discuss a set of social issues in the Arab world such as childhood, family care, and women.

Participants will look into the 1999 program proposed by the technical secretariat, the proposal to standardize sign language for the dumb, and coordination between the national commissions in charge of the elderly.

The Arab ministers will discuss next year's budget for the Arab fund for social action and social projects in the Arab world.

Financial aid to Arab states and assistance to the Palestinian self-rule areas in matters of social affairs training are also on the agenda.

The council will discuss the participation of the technical secretariat in the preparatory meetings of the U.N extraordinary general assembly that will be held in year 2000 to follow up the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and the action program of the World summit on social development.

In a speech before the session that was read out on his behalf by his assistant for social affairs, Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdel Meguid called for reviewing Arab social action mechanisms to speed up addressing social problems within the framework of comprehensive development. He said social security and social development are major cornerstones for pan-Arab security.

Other participants stressed the need to study the impact of globalization on Arab societies and to foster joint Arab social action as the economic and social challenges facing the Arab world require a unified Arab stance to reach a comprehensive view on joint social actions.