The 96th session of the economic and social council at the Arab League kicked off Thursday at the level of Arab economy, trade and financial ministers.

The session is being held under the chairmanship of UAE Economy Minister Sultan bin Saeed al Mansouri and in the presence of Arab League Secretary General Nabil el Araby.

The council's new session discusses a range of important issues including the AL's chief report on following up the implementation of the decisions of the former session and reviewing the economic sector between the 95th and 96th council sessions.

The meeting also discusses the economic file of the AL council at the summit level in its 27th ordinary session in Morocco 2016 along with following up the implementation of economic articles of Lima Declaration, which was issued in the third summit of the Arab countries and the South American countries in 2012.

The meeting further tackles cooperation with the Japanese and Chinese sides along with the effective participation in all the proceedings and at all levels.