GCC leaders affirm implementation of the vision of Custodian ‎of the Two Holy Mosques, including completing economic ‎unity, joint defense, security systems

The 43rd session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) commenced today at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.

The leaders and heads of GCC delegations, upon their arrival at the center, were received by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Memorial photos were taken on the occasion.

On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the meeting.

The meeting started with reciting verses from the Holy Quran.

Then, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, delivered the following speech:

“Dear brothers, Your Majesties and Your Highnesses,

God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.

We are pleased to welcome all of you to your second country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, asking the Almighty Allah to help us to continue the march of good and cooperation and to promote the GCC’s joint action towards steady development and prosperity.

At the beginning, we would like to recall His Highness the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s outstanding deeds to the United Arab Emirates and the good efforts to enhance the work of the council. We ask Almighty Allah’s mercy and forgiveness to Sheikh Khalifa, wishing all success to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

We also congratulate His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, on outstanding success in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Your Majesties, Your Highnesses,

At its 36th session in 2015, your esteemed council endorsed the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on promoting joint Gulf action. The vision contributed to strengthening the strategic role of the Gulf Cooperation Council regionally and globally, accelerating the council’s progress in the economic, social, security, military and political fields, including the appointment of military commanders to the unified military command and the activation of the role of the Gulf police.

In the light of the significant developments over the past seven years resulting from the implementation of the GCC countries’ ambitious development visions and economic transformation plans, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia intends to present a second phase of the vision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to reflect those developments and take into consideration the geopolitical developments that affected the region, as well as lessons learned from experiences in facing the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing role of the GCC member states in regional and international issues, accelerating economic growth and the social and cultural development of our states, which all require a continuous evolution of the Gulf Cooperation Council system’s strategic capacities in all fields. We are confident that close cooperation among our countries will lead to the speedy achievement of the desired goals.

Your Majesties and Highnesses,

Our countries reiterate the need for a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, in a way that guarantees the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) as its capital.

The Kingdom reiterates its full support for the international efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, in line with the Kingdom’s initiative to end this crisis per the three references. The Kingdom also affirms the need for Iran to abide by international principles and charters, fulfill its nuclear obligations, cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and maintain the principle of good neighborliness.

Your Majesties and Highnesses,

The Kingdom believes that hydrocarbon energy sources will remain an important resource to meet the needs of the world for the coming decades. As we are aware of the importance of sustainable development and preserving the environment and based on our responsibility towards the world and for future generations, we continue joint action to address climate change and strive seriously to reduce and address its impacts. In this regard, the Kingdom has taken many measures, as it launched the Saudi Green Initiative, the Middle East Green Initiative, the concept of a circular carbon economy, and many other initiatives that are aimed at developing sustainable energy sources. The GCC countries will remain a safe and reliable source to provide the world with its energy needs.

Your Majesties and Highnesses,

At the conclusion of the Kingdom’s presidency of the 42nd session of our esteemed Council, we congratulate our brother, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, on the Sultanate of Oman’s assumption of the presidency of the 43rd session of the Supreme Council, wishing His Majesty success, and affirming the Kingdom’s continuous support for his presidency, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Secretariat General, and supporting all efforts that would consolidate joint Gulf action.

We ask Allah the Almighty to repay all our efforts with success.

Peace and blessings be upon you.

The Kingdom’s official delegation includes Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy; Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the National Guard; Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and National Security Adviser.