45th GCC Summit highlights gulf countries’ unity, strength - days Kuwait Amir

The 45th Session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) began on Sunday with an opening address by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, emphasizing the unity and strength of the Gulf nations.

Welcoming leaders and distinguished guests, His Highness extended gratitude to the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for his leadership during the previous summit in Doha.

His Highness said, “This gathering, hosted by Kuwait, is a testament to our unity, an embodiment of the strength of our union, and a reflection of our unwavering belief in the necessity of enhancing and unifying GCC joint action”.

The Amir underlined the shared goals of the Gulf nations, saying, “Together, we strive to broaden the scope of cooperation to meet the aspirations of our people, ensuring security, prosperity and stability for our nations”.

He called for accelerating efforts to achieve economic integration, focusing on policies that diversify income sources, boost trade and investment and support local industries.

Highlighting the need for innovation, he said, “It is also vital to expand innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enhance the competitiveness of our economies regionally and globally”.

Emphasizing the role of education, His Highness said, “Our journey toward building an integrated Gulf economy relies on key pillars, foremost among them education. We aim to nurture the talents of our youth, inspiring them to contribute to the integrated Gulf economy we envision”.

His Highness also noted, “Since the first GCC summit of Abu Dhabi in 1981, established by my late brother Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the GCC has demonstrated that through unity and solidarity, our nations can achieve prosperity for our people and ensure security”.

He also addressed pressing international issues, urging the global community to act decisively, particularly regarding Palestine.

“The international community, particularly the UN Security Council, [must] fulfill its responsibilities by ensuring the implementation of relevant resolutions, halting the violence, providing international protection for innocent civilians, and securing safe corridors for urgent humanitarian aid”, he said.

Reaffirming the GCC’s position, His Highness stressed, “We reiterate our unwavering support to Palestine and to end the Israeli occupation, attain all their political rights, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions”.

His Highness commended mediation efforts in Gaza and Lebanon, adding, “We also commend Qatar, Egypt and the US for their mediation efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and welcome the ceasefire in Lebanon as a step toward de-escalation”.

Regarding relations with Iran, he acknowledged progress, saying, “We commend the positive steps expressed by Iran towards the GCC and look forward to resolving outstanding issues and enhancing cooperation in accordance with the UN Charter and international law”.

The Amir concluded, “We reaffirm our commitment to advancing joint Gulf action, meeting the aspirations of our people, and building a bright future of prosperity and stability”.

The summit, hosted in Kuwait, serves as a critical platform for Gulf leaders to reinforce their shared vision for economic growth, regional stability and international cooperation.