The 34th Arab League Summit concluded in Baghdad on May 17 with a declaration calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as regional leaders grappled with multiple crises across the Arab world amid questions about the gathering's long-term impact.

The summit, held under the theme of unity and shared Arab interests, drew leaders and representatives from all 22 member states, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

In his opening remarks, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid highlighted the "extremely complex circumstances and serious challenges threatening our region," rejecting external interference and emphasising political solutions to regional conflicts.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani announced 18 initiatives to strengthen joint Arab action, including a $40mn pledge for reconstruction efforts—$20mn each for Gaza and Lebanon.

The Gaza war dominated discussions, with the Baghdad Declaration condemning Israel's actions and reaffirming support for a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

"Palestine is bleeding before our eyes, and what's happening in Gaza and the West Bank cannot be ignored," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who announced plans to present a UN resolution to end the humanitarian blockade on Gaza.

El-Sisi called the summit "a historic moment" and directly appealed to US President Donald Trump "to exert all necessary efforts" to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, noting that a previous agreement reached in January 2025 "did not withstand renewed Israeli aggression."

However, political analysts were divided on the summit's effectiveness. While it showcased Iraq's return to regional diplomacy, some pointed to relatively low attendance from Arab heads of state as a sign of continuing diplomatic challenges.

"This was one of the weakest [summits] in Arab League history," said Nizar Haidar, an Iraqi political analyst in Washington, attributing limited participation to Iraq's internal politics and overlapping loyalties within its leadership.

In a curious development, Qatar's Emir left Baghdad before delivering his scheduled speech, raising questions about possible diplomatic tensions.

Beyond Gaza, Syria's representation at the summit marked a shift in regional dynamics. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani represented Damascus rather than transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and announced that "Syria is for all Syrians, without exclusion or marginalisation."

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir welcomed Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria, calling it "a great opportunity to support recovery, development, reconstruction, and prosperity."

Economic integration featured prominently in discussions, with proposals for food security strategies, the Arab Water Security Plan 2030, and an Arab Free Trade Zone initiative. Jordanian analyst Kamal Zughoul noted the summit had characteristics of a "developmental summit" that could help Iraq re-enter the Arab economic space.

"This may mark Iraq's re-entry into the Arab economic space, especially as Arab states continue investing heavily with the US while reaffirming Palestine as a central cause," Zughoul said.