Cairo, October 03, 2024 — During the high-level international conference on science diplomacy held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, emphasized the pivotal role of diplomacy in forging stronger ties with Euro-Mediterranean countries. His remarks underscored the Arab League’s commitment to advancing partnerships with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the European Union (EU). These partnerships, he noted, aim to foster greater collaboration in both the scientific and diplomatic sectors.
In his opening address, Aboul Gheit articulated the growing relevance of diplomacy in non-traditional areas, such as the environment, climate change, and sustainable development. He remarked on how these domains often present competing national interests that necessitate skilled diplomacy to broker compromises beneficial not only to individual nations but also to humanity as a whole. Aboul Gheit’s insights reflect a broader recognition of diplomacy's evolving role in addressing complex global challenges that intersect political and humanitarian goals.
Aboul Gheit further emphasized how political interests and humanitarian imperatives are becoming increasingly intertwined in modern diplomacy. He pointed to global issues such as pandemics, food security, and biodiversity preservation, where collective diplomatic efforts are crucial for progress. He also highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as a significant area of concern, calling for international dialogue to ensure that AI technology is developed and applied in ways that benefit humanity while mitigating potential risks. Collaboration between governments, international organizations, and scientific institutions is critical to ensure that technological advancements, like AI, serve global interests.
The Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Nasser Kamel, echoed Aboul Gheit’s sentiments, expressing optimism that the conference would serve as a platform for fostering communication, cooperation, and strategic thinking in the realm of science diplomacy. Kamel highlighted the potential for the conference to catalyze the development of new approaches to science diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of building networks, enhancing capacities, and promoting collaborative efforts that ultimately benefit all parties involved.