Arab investments, it noted, as well as the migration of capital and qualified workforce, weak infrastructure, inadequate education levels and incompatibility with labor market requirements, food and water security, climate change, energy, and inefficient use of resources. As for international challenges, the declaration said the global economic crisis and unrest in international financial markets, threat of recession and economic crunch and the impact this could have on Arab development had all prompted economic blocs and financial institutions around the world to find suitable means to tackle these issues and prevent their growth, and this included Arab efforts. As for Arab economic and social integration, the declaration agreed on the need to double efforts to achieve comprehensive economic and social integration among Arab states and to steer clear of any political aspects and to make it a means to achieve sustainable social and economic development and achieving the aspirations of the people for integration in global economy and dealing with international political and economic blocs. On the global economic crisis, the declaration called for following monetary and financial policies that boost the capability of Arab states to face the global meltdown and actively participate in international efforts to guarantee the world's financial stability, as well as activating the role of Arab financial institutions to increase inter-Arab investments and support Arab economy. --More
