WASHINGTON, 25 October — First ladies throughout the Arab world will join Jordan’s Queen Rania for the second Arab Women’s Summit to be held in Amman during the first week of November. The summit will also include experts and activists to study methods of advancement for women across the Arab World.

The group will also discuss the challenges and aspirations of women in the region and to further activate their role in the sustainable development of their communities. The conference is part of a joint effort throughout the Arab World to further strengthen and enhance cooperation among people in the region.

This year, first ladies from around the region are attending with the intention to adopt a strategy that will contribute to and focus on Arab efforts on the economic, political, social, and cultural fronts.

A main focus of the summit is a seminar will be held on Nov. 2 to discuss the "Arab Human Development Report 2002: Creating Opportunities for Future Generations," published this year by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.

The report, the first of its kind to focus solely on the Arab region, examines the state of development in the Arab World. "It covers important issues and critical challenges that individuals in the Arab world face, and focuses on the capabilities and opportunities of citizens in the region — including education, economic growth, and health — as the essential key to developments. Moreover, the report’s findings indicate that good governance promotes participation, transparency, and accountability," a press statement released by the Queen’s spokeswoman said.

Noting that Arab states have in general made substantial progress in human development in more than one area over the past three decades, the report also highlights current obstacles to human development in the region. It points to specific areas of focus, including:

oPromoting human rights and protecting human freedoms as the basis of good governance;

oEnabling women to capitalize on their capabilities by enhancing their empowerment at all levels;

oand productively consolidating the acquisition of knowledge and its effective utilization as a fuel for progress and the enhancement of human well-being.

Recommendations stemming from the seminar will be presented to the first ladies in the closing ceremony.