34th Arab League Summit (Baghdad, 2025)

The 34th Arab League Summit was a diplomatic summit held on 17 May 2025 in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. This meeting served as a platform where Arab countries came together to establish a common stance on current crises, with comprehensive discussions on regional issues such as Gaza, Syria, and Yemen.

Framework and Participants of the Summit

The summit took place on 17 May 2025 at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad, Iraq. This meeting marked the fourth time Iraq has hosted an Arab League summit since 1978 and the first summit held in Baghdad since 2012. The event was conducted within the secure “Green Zone” of the capital.

The opening address was delivered by Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid. Prior to the summit, Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulatif al-Zayani, speaking in his capacity as the outgoing summit chair, also addressed the gathering. Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani emphasized Iraq’s foreign policy priorities during the summit and outlined his country’s position on the Palestinian issue.

Heads of state or government and foreign ministers from all 22 Arab countries participated in the summit. Among the attending leaders were Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmud, Jordan’s Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Syria was represented by its new Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani. Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa did not attend the summit in Baghdad due to domestic political opposition within Iraq.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez attended as guests. Representatives from several international and regional organizations participated as observers.

The summit was held under the theme “Dialogue, Solidarity, and Development.” On 15 May 2025, Arab foreign ministers convened in Baghdad to approve the draft agenda and decision texts to be presented to the leaders. The agenda included eight key items and five strategic initiatives, with the Palestinian issue given top priority.

Gaza Agenda and the Palestinian Issue

Israeli Attacks and Humanitarian Situation

The central agenda item of the summit was Israel’s ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. It was reported that over 53,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and the majority of the population has been displaced due to nearly 20 months of siege and bombardment. This situation was collectively characterized by participating states as a humanitarian catastrophe.

Mahmud Abbas’s Appeals

In his address, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Arab countries to develop a unified Arab plan to end the war in Gaza. He also stated that, under appropriate conditions in the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem, Palestine would be ready to hold both presidential and parliamentary elections within the coming year. Abbas further urged the convening of an international peace conference in Cairo.

Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction Initiatives

The summit issued calls for the “unconditional and unhindered delivery” of humanitarian aid to Gaza. In this context, it was proposed to establish a fund in cooperation with the United Nations to support approximately 40,000 orphaned children and to provide prosthetics to thousands of injured individuals, particularly children who have lost limbs. Iraq announced a contribution of $20 million toward Gaza’s reconstruction.

International Mission Proposals and Peace Force Discussions

The summit’s final declaration included the proposal to deploy an international peace force in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. It was suggested that this force be positioned to ensure security in the region until a two-state solution is implemented. The declaration also called for the revitalization of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Opposition to Displacement and Demographic Engineering

All Arab leaders affirmed their rejection of any attempt to displace or forcibly relocate Palestinians. The declaration explicitly stated: “Opposition to any forced displacement under any name, condition, or pretext.”

Donald Trump’s Proposals

U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to transform Gaza into a “freedom zone” under direct American control was openly criticized throughout the summit. The Gaza Reconstruction Plan, prepared as an alternative to Trump’s proposal during an extraordinary Arab League meeting in Cairo in March 2025, was formally endorsed at the Baghdad summit. Trump’s plan aimed to restructure Gaza’s population of approximately 2.4 million without removing them from the region.

Other Regional Agendas

Yemen Crisis and Sovereignty Emphasis

At the summit, Arab leaders expressed clear support for preserving Yemen’s sovereignty and unity. They called for an end to the ongoing conflict through an inclusive internal dialogue and adopted a firm stance against external interference. It was emphasized that conditions must be created to facilitate Yemen’s reconstruction and ensure its political integrity.

Efforts to End the Civil War in Sudan

The summit stressed the need for political solutions to end the civil war in Sudan. It highlighted the importance of safeguarding the Sudanese people’s security, the country’s territorial integrity, and prioritizing humanitarian intervention. The summit called for support of initiatives such as the Jeddah Declaration and urged Sudanese parties to actively engage in negotiation processes.

National Dialogue Process in Libya

Regarding Libya, the Arab League Summit affirmed the need to support an inclusive dialogue process aimed at achieving national unity and internal stability. Participants emphasized that external interventions have deepened the crisis and that a political solution must be based on internal Libyan negotiations.

Support for Lebanon

Assessments on Lebanon underscored the necessity of preserving its security, stability, and territorial integrity. Arab leaders condemned Israel’s violations along the Lebanese border and advocated for a return to the 1949 Armistice Agreement. They also demanded the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.

Security and Development Agenda in Somalia

Statements on Somalia affirmed the need to support the country’s territorial integrity and internal security. The summit text called on Arab countries to contribute to Somalia’s development process and emphasized the necessity of a coordinated response to terrorist attacks.

International Issues and Joint Declaration

The summit addressed nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. Arab countries affirmed their support for ensuring that Iran’s uranium enrichment levels remain within peaceful-use limits. Oman’s diplomatic mediation efforts in these negotiations were praised.

Arab leaders reiterated their call for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free and weapons of mass destruction-free zone in the Middle East. This appeal was included in the summit declaration as a means to achieve regional peace and stability.

The summit underscored the need for a coordinated response to security threats posed by ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and affiliated groups in the Arab region. It also highlighted the importance of developing cultural and educational counter-strategies to combat the ideological narratives of terrorist organizations. In this context, intelligence and security coordination among Arab countries was proposed.

The Baghdad Declaration, issued at the conclusion of the summit, publicly announced the Arab world’s unified stance on regional crises. The declaration emphasized the territorial integrity of Arab lands, rejection of external interference, joint security cooperation, and calls for economic integration, with the Palestinian and Syrian issues at the forefront. Preliminary discussions were also held regarding the location and timing of the next Arab League Summit, and Arab candidacies for positions in regional and international institutions were brought to the agenda.