Presidium of the Arab Congress

The Presidium of the Arab Congress (Arabic: رئاسة المؤتمر العربي ri’āsat al-mu’tamr al-‘arabī) is a permanent nine-member council elected by both chambers of the Arab Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government of the Arab Union.

Elected at a joint plenary session of the Arab Congress (a meeting of both chambers with all members present simultaneously) from amongst congress membership, the Presidium of the Arab Congress functions as the highest legislative authority in the Arab Union in between joint plenary sessions of the Arab Congress; all legislative proceedings and resolutions are officially provisional until either ratified or vetoed by the Arab Congress at subsequent joint plenary sessions, during which the presidium's activities since the last joint plenary session are scrutinised. Joint plenary sessions typically take place annually, only very occasionally skipping a year due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Presidium of the Arab Congress is responsible for opening and moderating all joint sessions of the Arab Congress including joint plenary sessions. After reviewing the presidium's activities since the last joint plenary session and either ratifying or vetoing its resolutions, the current presidium is dissolved by the Arab Congress and a new one elected until the next joint plenary session. Immediately following the formation of a new presidium, the membership appoints one of its members as chairperson, who is responsible for leading the Presidium of the Arab Congress as well as liaising between both chambers of congress outside of joint sessions. Presidium membership is not open to the elected president (also known as speaker) of either one of the chambers of congress, nor to members of the federal government's executive or judicial branches.