
HH the Amir Praises GCC Unity and Strength at 45th Summit Opening
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah opened the 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Sunday by warmly welcoming the leaders and distinguished guests. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for his wise leadership and efforts during the previous summit in Doha.
HH the Amir emphasized that the gathering, hosted by Kuwait, was a powerful symbol of the GCC’s unity and strength, reflecting the shared belief in the importance of advancing joint action. “Together, we aim to expand our cooperation to meet the aspirations of our people and ensure the security, prosperity, and stability of our nations,” he stated.
He further emphasized the importance of accelerating economic integration within the GCC by implementing unified policies, diversifying income sources, facilitating trade and investment, and supporting local industries. He also highlighted the need to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, to strengthen the competitiveness of GCC economies both regionally and globally.
“Our efforts to build an integrated Gulf economy rely heavily on key pillars, with education being foremost among them,” HH the Amir noted. “We are committed to nurturing the talents of our youth, inspiring them to contribute to the development of the integrated Gulf economy we envision.” He also referenced the historic first GCC summit in Abu Dhabi in 1981, which was initiated by his late brother, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, underscoring the importance of unity and solidarity in achieving prosperity and security for the Gulf nations.
The Amir also addressed the ongoing situation in Palestine, urging the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to uphold its responsibilities. He called for the implementation of relevant resolutions to halt violence, protect innocent civilians, and ensure safe corridors for humanitarian aid. HH the Amir reaffirmed Kuwait’s unwavering support for Palestine, stressing the importance of ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international resolutions.
He also expressed appreciation for the mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States that led to a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon as a step toward de-escalation. HH the Amir acknowledged the positive steps taken by Iran towards the GCC and expressed hope for resolving outstanding issues and enhancing cooperation based on the UN Charter and international law.
“We remain committed to advancing joint Gulf action to meet the aspirations of our people and build a prosperous and stable future,” he said.
Regarding relations with Iraq, HH the Amir reiterated the importance of dialogue and good neighborliness in overcoming challenges. He called on Iraq to rectify the legal status of the agreement regulating maritime navigation in Khor Abdullah and resume technical meetings to ensure progress in line with the 2008 Security Exchange Protocol. He also urged the continuation of efforts to demarcate the Kuwaiti-Iraqi maritime borders in accordance with international law.
Furthermore, HH the Amir emphasized the need for ongoing support from the GCC leaders in addressing the issues of prisoners, missing persons, and Kuwaiti property, including national archives, after the expiration of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) mandate.
Following the opening remarks, GCC leaders and representatives entered a closed session to discuss the summit’s agenda, with the intention of issuing the final statement and the Kuwait Declaration. The declaration reaffirmed the GCC’s strong support for the Palestinian cause, calling for Palestinian sovereignty over all occupied lands since June 1967 and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The leaders also highlighted the growing role of the GCC countries in addressing both regional and global political and economic challenges.
To conclude the summit, HH the Amir hosted a luncheon in honor of the GCC leaders and representatives. Later, he sent cables expressing his appreciation to various ministers and officials involved in organizing the 45th GCC Summit, commending their efforts in ensuring the event’s success and wishing them continued success in their service to the country. — KUNA