GCC Secretary General Highlights Strategic Partnerships and Cooperation.

Abu Dhabi: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, has emphasized the prominent regional and international standing of the GCC across political, economic, commercial, and information technology levels. He highlighted that the GCC has become a destination for many countries and regional blocs seeking to establish strategic partnerships, particularly as GCC countries have become a trusted partner due to their wise and moderate policies at all regional and international levels. According to Saudi Press Agency, this statement was made during the Secretary-General's address at the 18th periodic meeting of the Speakers of the Shura Councils, Houses of Representatives, and National Assemblies of the GCC countries in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. The meeting was chaired by the Speaker of the Federal National Council of the UAE, Saqr Ghobash, and attended by the Speakers of the Shura Councils, Houses of Representatives, and National Assemblies of the GCC. Albudaiwi noted that these fraternal meetings are held in accordance with the visions and directives of the leaders of the GCC states, reflecting their belief in the importance of unity, integration, and rapprochement among the GCC states in various fields. He remarked that since its first meeting in Doha in 2007, the gathering of the Shura Councils, Houses of Representatives, and National Assemblies of the GCC has aimed to strengthen joint Gulf parliamentary positions in regional and international forums regarding strategic issues and Gulf and Arab regional security, and to enhance relations and cooperation with the parliaments of other countries and international parliamentary organizations. Furthermore, he praised the positive role and achievements in joint Gulf parliamentary work during Qatar's presidency of this session and the meetings held with representatives of other countries' parliaments. This resulted in several recommendations to enhance the progress of joint Gulf work in legislative councils. He commended the sym posium organized by the Qatari Shura Council, entitled "Cultural Diversity and the Challenges of Change: The Role of Gulf Legislative Councils in Protecting the Gulf Identity," and the resulting recommendations. These included the development of cultural and educational programs in the GCC states, the development of curricula to preserve the Gulf identity and enhance common values, directing digital influencers towards preserving the Gulf identity, and issuing a Gulf document concerning the preservation of the Gulf identity.