The Arab League (الجامعة العربية‎), also called the League of Arab Nations (جامعة الدول العربية‎), is a regional organisation of Arab states. It was formed in Cairo on March 22, 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a member on May 5, 1945. The Arab League currently has 22 members and four observers. The main goal of the league is to “draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries.”

Through institutions such as the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALESCO) and the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League’s Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU), the Arab League facilitates political, economic, cultural, scientific and social programs designed to promote the interests of the Arab world. It has served as a forum for the member states to coordinate their policy positions, to deliberate on matters of common concern, to settle some Arab disputes, and to limit conflicts. The League has served as a platform for the drafting and conclusion of many landmark documents promoting economic integration. One example is the Joint Arab Economic Action Charter which sets out the principles for economic activities in the region.

 

The Arab League has played an important role in shaping school curricula, advancing the role of women in the Arab societies, promoting child welfare, encouraging youth and sports programs, preserving Arab cultural heritage, and fostering cultural exchanges between the member states. Literacy campaigns have been launched, intellectual works reproduced, and modern technical terminology is translated for the use within member states. The league encourages measures against crime and drug abuse, and deals with labour issues—particularly among the emigrant Arab workforce.

Member countries are:

Algeria = الجزائر

Bahrain = البحرين

Comoros = جزر القمر

Djibouti = جيبوتي

Egypt = مصر

Iraq = العراق

Jordan = الأردن

Kuwait = الكويت

Lebanon = لبنان

Libya = ليبيا

Mauritania = موريتانيا

Morocco = المغرب

Oman = عمان

Palestine = فلسطين

Qatar = قطر

Saudi Arabia = المملكة العربية السعودية

Somalia = الصومال

Sudan = السودان

Syria = سوريا

Tunisia = تونس

United Arab Emirates = الإمارات العربية المتحدة

Yemen = اليمن

Thanks to Wikipedia for facts and images.