Arab League official calls for unified regional transport network

Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Maliki, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs at the Arab League, has called for a transition from isolated national transport systems to an integrated Arab transport network. Speaking at the 39th session of the Arab Transport Ministers Council in Alexandria, Egypt, Al-Maliki emphasized that transport is no longer just about roads and ports, but is a vital tool for economic national security and attracting investment.

Al-Maliki highlighted the strategic importance of the region, noting that while 80% of global trade passes through seas, intra-Arab trade currently stands at only 13%. He pointed to the critical nature of maritime corridors, noting that disruptions in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz have global economic consequences. To address these challenges, he proposed four urgent steps: completing cross-border road and rail networks, activating multi-modal transport, digitizing customs procedures, and unifying technical and operational standards.