GCC Secretary General Emphasizes Collective Action and Solidarity to Enhance Peace and Prosperity

Banjul, May 05, 2024, SPA – The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, affirmed that the GCC countries take pride in their Islamic affiliation and are diligently seeking to strengthen their relations with Islamic countries on all levels.
"The GCC countries have always extended their hands for cooperation and to establish fruitful partnerships with all Islamic countries, believing in the importance of this deep connection derived from our culture, religion, and prophetic tradition," Albudaiwi stated.
This came during his participation in the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation under the theme "Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development," on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Banjul, the capital of the Republic of the Gambia. Present in the Conference are the Heads of Delegations from the fifty-seven-member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
At the beginning of his speech, the Secretary-General said: "Today, we gather while the world is facing numerous and escalating challenges. In light of these dangerous developments, the role of the GCC and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as two active forces to confront the multiple crises in our region and the world as a whole becomes prominent. The common challenges we face require collective action and solidarity to promote the values of peace and prosperity, particularly considering what Palestine and the Gaza Strip are subjected to; a brutal attack by Israeli occupation forces."
Moreover, Albudaiwi recalled the important outcomes of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic joint summit held in Riyadh last year, which resulted in the formation of the Ministerial Committee tasked with visiting the world with the aim of assisting and saving the Palestinian people in Gaza by de-escalating the situation, protecting civilians, and restoring peace efforts. He praised the significant role played by this committee in stopping the aggression in the Gaza Strip, which aligns with the GCC, Arab, and Islamic stances.
Furthermore, the Secretary-General underscored that, after more than 211 days, the Palestinian people in Gaza are still suffering from the continuous crimes committed by the occupying forces, resulting in the deaths of 35,000 people, mostly children and women, at an average rate of 165 deaths per day.
He also highlighted the significant challenges that threaten our security and stability, especially in light of the escalating crises in the Middle East due to the repercussions of the situation in Palestine and Gaza.
"The ongoing Israeli aggression requires us all to renew our commitment to collective and responsible action in supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights," he stated, reiterating the important role that the Organization must play in supporting peace and development efforts, as well as countering extremism and terrorism that pose a threat to regional and international security.
During his speech, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General also stressed the importance of the call issued by the Ministerial Council of the GCC, during its forty-fourth extraordinary session, to hold international conference to enhance regional and international stability and security.
He also called for highlighting the utmost significance of sustainable development within the agendas of both the GCC and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. "It requires all of us to work together to address the environmental and economic challenges that affect our countries and peoples. Additionally, we must enhance cooperation in the fields of science, technology, and innovation to support sustainable development projects," he underlined.
Additionally, he pointed out that the youth represent the future of the Islamic nation. "And based on this, we must provide them with all the support through education, training, and job opportunities that meet their aspirations and stimulate their full potential. By achieving this, we can ensure the establishment of strong societies capable of making effective contributions on the global stage," he concluded.
-- SPA