HE Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council delivered a televised speech marking the 39th anniversary of the establishment of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, on the 25th of May, which read:

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Sisters and brothers, citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council states

May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you

It gives me great pleasure to speak to you, congratulating Eid Al-Fitr and asking Allah, the Exalted, the Majestic, to bring it back to everyone with good and blessings, and that Allah, by His Mercy, remove the pandemic from everyone.

Eid Al-Fitr this year coincides with the 39th anniversary of the establishment of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the launch of our blessed march from the city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on 25 May 1981. We remember this day as GCC people with pride, honor and gratitude to the founding fathers, the leaders who laid the solid foundation for this blessed entity.

The GCC joint cooperation faced many challenges during the past four decades, as it has witnessed many achievements and gains made in several areas and on more than one level. Thanks to Allah and the wisdom and vision of their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders of the GCC States. The Council was able to overcoming these challenges and at the same time managed to preserve its gains and achievements for the good, development, security and prosperity of the GCC states and their citizens.

The living people do not stop at the past except to seek inspirations and lessons, in a way that does not hinder or affect the stability of them moving forward towards the future with all its ambitions and hopes. Relying on Allah, based on a set of common principles, and believing in its ability and strategic choice. The GCC States (people and leadership) are progressive in their thought, eager for the best, based on a rich legacy of accomplishments achieved with the help of their people, gave it a distinguished position both regionally and internationally. The Gulf Cooperation Council became an example and model for comprehensive development in the middle of a turbulent environment, and played a role with the international community with awareness and responsibility, becoming a voice of wisdom, peace and balance on the regional and international arenas.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, which is on the verge of the fifth decade of its blessed journey, face unprecedented challenges in its quality and ramifications, requires more than ever collective thinking and cooperation to confront them and deal with their repercussions. In implementation of what was stated in the statute issued in 1981, included in the 2015 vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and in the closing statement of the Riyadh Summit in December 2019.

The GCC dispute, which is approaching its third year, poses a challenge to the GCC joint cooperation, as well as a common concern of all the GCC states. Carried by HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, and since the first day, His Highness’s efforts have received Gulf and international support. Our belief is to address this dispute within the framework of the GCC House in a fair manner and ensure a fair mechanism to deal with any dispute that may arise in the future, God forbid, emphasizing the vitality and permanence of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

As for the other challenge, it is the great challenges imposed by the emerging Coronavirus (Covid 19) that affected all aspects of life. Requiring all of us, as the Gulf Cooperation Council, to enhance joint work and collective willingness to deal with the post-Corona world, with its economic, health, social, security, labor and strategic dimensions, in order to protect our people and preserve our gains, and to enhance our blessed march and guarantee our future.

The post-Corona world and its major changes require us to extrapolate the new global scene and prepare as a system to deal with its outcomes and challenges, in order to ensure and reinforce the strategic position of the Gulf Cooperation Council. As well as, protect the gains of its states and people, fortify and support its economy and security, and deal with the economic repercussions that represent the biggest challenge facing the world, expected to continue for years to come.  We will not be isolated from it, which necessitates implementing the economic agreement and accelerating the economic integration projects. 

With the grace of Allah, then with the wisdom and care of their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders of the GCC states and the awareness of the GCC people, we will overcome these challenges more firm, stronger, determined and powerful, preserving the GCC gains, renewing it ideas, and developing its work mechanisms. This in preparation for the requirements of the GCC future, which will always remain the strategic choice for its states. It is like a blessed tree whose root is firmly fixed and its branch is in the sky.

In conclusion, I cannot but express my thanks, appreciation and gratitude to all workers in the front lines in the face of the Corona pandemic from all sectors, official, civil and voluntary bodies. In addition, I cannot fail to thank all employees of the GCC General Secretariat and its offices and missions for the great efforts to enhance the GCC journey and pushing it forward. Recalling with appreciation those who preceded him, their Excellences, the former General Secretaries and their great contributions in leading the GCC General Secretariat through its blessed journey.

Happy Eid Al-Fitr and Happy GCC Anniversary

May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you