CAIRO: The preparatory meeting for the 29th symposium of representatives of training bodies in the Arab armed forces commenced on Sunday at the headquarters of the Arab League’s General Secretariat, with Tunisia chairing the session and the participation of Kuwait. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Khalil Al-Thawadi, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Arab Affairs and National Security Sector at the Arab League, lauded the continued efforts in organizing these symposiums, which he said significantly contribute to enhancing coordination and cooperation among Arab military institutions and benefit the development of armed forces personnel across the region.
Al-Thawadi commended this year’s symposium theme, which highlights the pivotal role of self-learning in shaping the future capabilities of the armed forces, particularly in the context of rapid technological advancement and increasingly complex security challenges. “Self-education has become an essential pillar in strengthening military readiness,” he said. “It empowers personnel to stay abreast of emerging developments through independent learning using a range of resources, including books and digital platforms, and represents a comprehensive strategy to build agile and adaptive forces.”
He stressed that modern combat environments demand institutional innovation and ongoing learning, making self-learning a strategic necessity for today’s military establishments. “Armed forces must be flexible, innovative and continuously upskill to effectively respond to evolving threats,” he noted. Al-Thawadi further emphasized the importance and timeliness of the symposium’s theme, pointing to its potential in harmonizing military training methodologies, enhancing strategic planning, and optimizing the human resources of Arab armed forces. He added that the symposium aims to produce guiding studies to support military leaders in their training responsibilities and to advance research and development of skills across military colleges and institutions.
The preparatory meeting, which will continue until July 10, will focus on drafting a comprehensive study on self-learning and its influence on military operations and training. The study will be presented at the upcoming meeting of heads of training bodies in Arab armed forces, scheduled for November. Kuwait is represented by a delegation from the Ministry of Defense, headed by Colonel Mohammed Al-Asousi, Head of the Courses Branch at the Military Education Authority, and includes Major Turki Al-Matraqa and Captain Abdul Rahman Al-Jafnawi. — KUNA
