Baghdad – The State of Palestine Participates in the Meetings of the Economic and Social Council Ahead of the 34th Arab Summit
Baghdad – A delegation from the State of Palestine took part in the meetings of the Economic and Social Council held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in preparation for the 34th Ordinary Arab Summit, which coincides with the 5th Arab Development Summit. The Palestinian delegation was headed by H.E. Minister of Economy Mr. Mohammad Al-Amour, and included Palestinian Ambassador to Iraq Dr. Ahmad Al-Ruwaidi, Permanent Representative of Palestine to the Arab League Ambassador Muhannad Al-Aklouk, Deputy Minister of Social Development Mr. Taha Al-Irani, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Administrative and Financial Affairs Mr. Mustafa Al-Barghouthi, and Director General of International Policies at the Ministry of Economy Mr. Mohammad Hamidan.
The meetings commenced at the senior officials’ level on Monday, May 12, 2025, followed by ministerial-level meetings on May 13, with the participation of official delegations from various Arab countries.
The Council adopted 31 resolutions related to joint Arab action, including three resolutions concerning Palestine, focusing on: support and shelter for displaced families due to the war, investment in human health resources, and the implementation of solar energy projects in Palestinian refugee camps.
The participation of the Deputy Minister of Social Development came as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to follow up on social protection and support for displaced persons, which remain top priorities amid the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip.
The meetings also endorsed a number of broader joint Arab decisions, notably supporting the Arab League Secretary-General’s initiative on artificial intelligence, and the establishment of the Arab Council of Ministers of Trade.
At the conclusion of the meetings, it was recommended that the decisions be submitted to the Arab Summit scheduled for May 17, 2025, for approval by the attending Heads of State.
The visit also included a bilateral meeting between the Palestinian delegation and the Iraqi Minister of Trade and Industry, as well as an official visit to the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Baghdad, aimed at following up on the conditions of the Palestinian community in Iraq and reviewing their needs in light of current developments, in reflection of the Palestinian government’s commitment to its people wherever they are.


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On World Children's Day, MoSD: Palestinian Children Face Harsh Realities of Loss, Displacement, Violence, & Deprivation
Ramallah – On the occasion of World Children's Day, observed annually on 20 November, the Ministry of Social Development emphasized that Palestinian children are facing extremely harsh conditions amid the continuing consequences of the Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and escalating attacks, displacement, home demolitions, and movement restrictions in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. These conditions have deprived children of their lives, families, shelter, education, care, and safety. According to available United Nations data, at least 21,700 children have been killed in the Gaza Strip, while approximately 45,000 have been injured, including more than 11,000 children who have sustained life-altering injuries. Meanwhile, thousands of families continue to experience repeated displacement and deprivation of essential services. In the West Bank, including Jerusalem, children continue to face attacks, forced displacement of families, and damage to schools, homes, and infrastructure. More than 1,700 children have been displaced since the beginning of 2026 as a result of settler violence, movement restrictions, and demolitions. The Ministry stressed that the consequences of war and occupation extend beyond immediate casualties to include bereavement, family separation, hunger, school dropout, child labour, violence, exploitation, acquired disabilities, and psychological and social distress. These risks require a comprehensive and long-term child protection response. The Ministry explained that child protection is a central pillar of its work, implemented through Child Protection Departments in its directorates. These departments receive reports, assess levels of risk, provide case management and family follow-up, facilitate referrals to specialized services, and intervene in cases of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Their responsibilities also include protecting children engaged in labour or begging, children who have dropped out of school, and children in conflict with the law, in coordination with relevant government authorities and partner organizations. In the Gaza Strip, children's protection and care needs have intensified significantly, particularly among orphans, children deprived of parental care, separated and unaccompanied children, and those requiring psychosocial support. In cooperation with its partners, the Ministry is working to provide alternative care, social follow-up, sponsorship programmes, psychological support, and food, health, and in-kind assistance, while strengthening and restoring child protection services across the Gaza Strip. The Ministry emphasized that protecting children is inseparable from protecting their families. Accordingly, child protection services form part of a broader social protection system encompassing food, cash, and non-food assistance, health insurance, education, school bags and stationery, psychosocial support, services for persons with disabilities, and family economic empowerment. These interventions aim to reduce the risks associated with poverty, displacement, loss of income, and family instability. The Ministry of Social Development called on the international community, United Nations agencies, humanitarian organizations, and donors to provide sustainable support for the Palestinian child protection system. It urged continued funding for alternative care programmes, orphan sponsorship, psychosocial support, education, nutrition, and rehabilitation, alongside support for Palestinian national institutions capable of reaching children and families and ensuring sustained follow-up. The Ministry concluded by emphasizing that World Children's Day cannot be merely an occasion for celebration while Palestinian children are deprived of their most fundamental rights. It stressed that protecting children begins with safeguarding their right to life and extends to ensuring their rights to family care, shelter, food, education, healthcare, protection, and social support.

