Lebanon: Fourth Arab Economic Summit kicks off in Beirut

The fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit kicked off in Beirut on Sunday.
Lebanon's initial plan, as a host country, was that heads of state from the Arab world would arrive in Beirut to discuss economic and social development. However, only three leaders - from Qatar, Mauritania and Somalia - have reportedly attended the Summit, though representatives from all Arab countries except Syria and Libya participated in the Summit.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil called on the international community to "assume its responsibilities" to find effective solutions and "intensify collective efforts to promote the conditions for the return of displaced people and refugees to their countries."
He went on to say that the international community should support Arab countries which "host displaced people and the Syrian refugees" to establish "development projects" and "reduce the economic and social effects of this hosting."
The agenda included 29 draft projects on the issues relating to economic and social activities, such as food safety, energy, eradicating poverty, women protection, digital economy as well as Arab strategies in the development of sustainable energy.
The first session of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit was held in Kuwait in 2009, the second in Sharm El-Sheikh in 2011 and the third in Riyadh in 2013.