Diplomatic Courier: What are the economic goals for a diverse body like the League of Arab States, which has both high-income and middle- and low-income countries among its membership?
Dr. Hussein Hassouna: The League adheres to its Charter, which endorses the principle of an Arab homeland while respecting the sovereignty of the individual member states. This philosophy is predicated upon each member holding only one vote, regardless of its size demographically or economically. In particular, the goal for the Arab League is to provide a forum for the higher-income Arab countries to assist other Arab countries—and vice-versa—in a mutually beneficial environment. This is managed through a variety of major Arab funds and banks. Moreover, the League aims, through the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League, to achieve more economic integration between Arab states and, specifically, implement a common market. Currently, it administers the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA).
On that note, LAS called for an Arab economic, political, and social reform at its Tunisian Summit held in Tunis. On the economic and social front, the League has held over 30 summits in which the Council would like to see an Arab regional developmental bank, similar to the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, or the African Development Bank. A growing region with a common language and a commitment to the various aspects of social justice needs a structure such as an Arab Development Bank to implement its development initiatives.
Each Arab country possesses resources: while some Arab countries are endowed with greater levels of financial capital, others are endowed with greater levels of human capital to enrich each other's labor markets. Overall, the goals are threefold: 1) attract foreign direct investment (FDI); 2) improve a variety of sectors and support labor training programs; and, 3) encourage small to medium enterprises to initiate within Arab countries. This latter goal will continue to grow, in part, once we invest in more worker training programs. The League has already taken steps to improve the gender parity index in several Arab countries, which helps the socio-economic development as Arab women raise the next generation of Arab entrepreneurs.
DC: In 2012, will there be a new strategy for the LAS in advancing economic goals since the Arab Spring?
HH: With the advent of the Arab Spring, we have seen that the causes are not just political. The causes are rooted in socio-economic development as well. The League supports the Arab Spring and its goals for human dignity. Back in 2004, our Tunis Summit called for economic reform and set its focus on stimulating growth and creating jobs. We recognize the effects of a global recession, which has also reached the Arab region. As the MENA region has experienced the most growth in terms of human capital, it has also experienced a growth in social capital, the voluntary associations that believe in the importance of social and civic engagement. Hopefully this social capital will translate into increased relations with Arab to Arab business engagement, as well as manifest itself in a growing business culture. The Arab people participated in many initiatives; those with university level education are also a huge labor potential and are indicators of the need to expand infrastructure, financial, tourism, and telecommunications sectors.
The socio-economic goals encompass developing the technical training needed to advance these sectors. These sectors need high levels of expertise in soft-skill training to supplement the already existing young populations that have college and university level education. We need those programs because we must tap into our indigenous workforces, which are a cheaper labor alternative in contrast to constantly importing the technical labor force from the U.S. or Europe to manage and operate sectors, like finance and telecommunications.
DC: What are the key highlights from your distinguished career in the U.S. that will help bridge relations between the United States and the Arab world?
HH: During my term, the Arab League Mission to the United States co-sponsored the U.S.-Arab Economic summits. We collaborate with U.S.-Arab Chambers of Commerce. These operate in Detroit, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Boston, and Houston, among numerous others. For example, the LAS Mission to the U.S. is partners with the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, which focuses on banking and finance with the Arab world. Also, we collaborated with the U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Houston, which convened high-level decision-makers and business figures from the Arab world and the United States to improve mutual understanding and strengthen business ties. The League's Mission in DC does not limit itself to only governmental engagement. We have convened a series of dialogues with civil society. In 2009, for the first time, we successfully worked with the Kennedy Center to promote the cultural heritage of the Arab world by launching the Arab Cultural Festival. All the 22 member Arab states coordinated through the Arab League. The most talented Arabs were showcased via art and culture, in literature, poetry, music (traditional and modern), dance, painting, sculpture, and fashion.
DC: What are the lessons for the next generation addressing U.S.-Arab diplomacy?
HH: We need to continue to work actively and to engage in dialogue to resolve complex political problems. Some people misunderstand the League of Arab States. Regardless, LAS is a regional player that can provide regional solutions, as we have recently seen through Libya. It is through the League that this initiative took place and [gained] momentum. For example, the League made an effort to develop a unified position towards Libya. First, the League suspended Libya because of Gaddafi's treatment [of] his people. Second, the League voted to adopt a No-Fly Zone, which was immediately followed by the United Nations Security Council to move forward with the same measure. This was necessary for the League to lead regionally so that further steps could be initiated, such as NATO enforcing the No-Fly Zone [as] the Libyan people exercised their right towards human dignity. Similarly, the League has condemned Syria for its violations of human rights.
I would add that one should familiarize oneself with the nuances that distinguish each Arab nation from one another. In addition, the next generation will see that there are benefits in recognizing that each Arab country—whether from the Gulf area or the Maghreb—has its own history. In recognizing that Arab nations are capable of redefining their futures by building their civil societies, there will be better understanding, as I noted in my address to the National Council on U.S. Arab Relations at their 20th Annual Conference.
This article was originally published in the Diplomatic Courier's January/February issue.
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Ambassador Dr. Hussein Hassouna of the League of Arab States
February 7, 2012
Diplomatic Courier: What are the economic goals for a diverse body like the League of Arab States, which has both high-income and middle- and low-income countries among its membership?
Dr. Hussein Hassouna: The League adheres to its Charter, which endorses the principle of an Arab homeland while respecting the sovereignty of the individual member states. This philosophy is predicated upon each member holding only one vote, regardless of its size demographically or economically. In particular, the goal for the Arab League is to provide a forum for the higher-income Arab countries to assist other Arab countries—and vice-versa—in a mutually beneficial environment. This is managed through a variety of major Arab funds and banks. Moreover, the League aims, through the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League, to achieve more economic integration between Arab states and, specifically, implement a common market. Currently, it administers the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA).
On that note, LAS called for an Arab economic, political, and social reform at its Tunisian Summit held in Tunis. On the economic and social front, the League has held over 30 summits in which the Council would like to see an Arab regional developmental bank, similar to the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, or the African Development Bank. A growing region with a common language and a commitment to the various aspects of social justice needs a structure such as an Arab Development Bank to implement its development initiatives.
Each Arab country possesses resources: while some Arab countries are endowed with greater levels of financial capital, others are endowed with greater levels of human capital to enrich each other's labor markets. Overall, the goals are threefold: 1) attract foreign direct investment (FDI); 2) improve a variety of sectors and support labor training programs; and, 3) encourage small to medium enterprises to initiate within Arab countries. This latter goal will continue to grow, in part, once we invest in more worker training programs. The League has already taken steps to improve the gender parity index in several Arab countries, which helps the socio-economic development as Arab women raise the next generation of Arab entrepreneurs.
DC: In 2012, will there be a new strategy for the LAS in advancing economic goals since the Arab Spring?
HH: With the advent of the Arab Spring, we have seen that the causes are not just political. The causes are rooted in socio-economic development as well. The League supports the Arab Spring and its goals for human dignity. Back in 2004, our Tunis Summit called for economic reform and set its focus on stimulating growth and creating jobs. We recognize the effects of a global recession, which has also reached the Arab region. As the MENA region has experienced the most growth in terms of human capital, it has also experienced a growth in social capital, the voluntary associations that believe in the importance of social and civic engagement. Hopefully this social capital will translate into increased relations with Arab to Arab business engagement, as well as manifest itself in a growing business culture. The Arab people participated in many initiatives; those with university level education are also a huge labor potential and are indicators of the need to expand infrastructure, financial, tourism, and telecommunications sectors.
The socio-economic goals encompass developing the technical training needed to advance these sectors. These sectors need high levels of expertise in soft-skill training to supplement the already existing young populations that have college and university level education. We need those programs because we must tap into our indigenous workforces, which are a cheaper labor alternative in contrast to constantly importing the technical labor force from the U.S. or Europe to manage and operate sectors, like finance and telecommunications.
DC: What are the key highlights from your distinguished career in the U.S. that will help bridge relations between the United States and the Arab world?
HH: During my term, the Arab League Mission to the United States co-sponsored the U.S.-Arab Economic summits. We collaborate with U.S.-Arab Chambers of Commerce. These operate in Detroit, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Boston, and Houston, among numerous others. For example, the LAS Mission to the U.S. is partners with the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, which focuses on banking and finance with the Arab world. Also, we collaborated with the U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Houston, which convened high-level decision-makers and business figures from the Arab world and the United States to improve mutual understanding and strengthen business ties. The League's Mission in DC does not limit itself to only governmental engagement. We have convened a series of dialogues with civil society. In 2009, for the first time, we successfully worked with the Kennedy Center to promote the cultural heritage of the Arab world by launching the Arab Cultural Festival. All the 22 member Arab states coordinated through the Arab League. The most talented Arabs were showcased via art and culture, in literature, poetry, music (traditional and modern), dance, painting, sculpture, and fashion.
DC: What are the lessons for the next generation addressing U.S.-Arab diplomacy?
HH: We need to continue to work actively and to engage in dialogue to resolve complex political problems. Some people misunderstand the League of Arab States. Regardless, LAS is a regional player that can provide regional solutions, as we have recently seen through Libya. It is through the League that this initiative took place and [gained] momentum. For example, the League made an effort to develop a unified position towards Libya. First, the League suspended Libya because of Gaddafi's treatment [of] his people. Second, the League voted to adopt a No-Fly Zone, which was immediately followed by the United Nations Security Council to move forward with the same measure. This was necessary for the League to lead regionally so that further steps could be initiated, such as NATO enforcing the No-Fly Zone [as] the Libyan people exercised their right towards human dignity. Similarly, the League has condemned Syria for its violations of human rights.
I would add that one should familiarize oneself with the nuances that distinguish each Arab nation from one another. In addition, the next generation will see that there are benefits in recognizing that each Arab country—whether from the Gulf area or the Maghreb—has its own history. In recognizing that Arab nations are capable of redefining their futures by building their civil societies, there will be better understanding, as I noted in my address to the National Council on U.S. Arab Relations at their 20th Annual Conference.
This article was originally published in the Diplomatic Courier's January/February issue.
