Based on the lofty goals upon which the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was founded in 1981, primarily supporting just Arab and Islamic causes, Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states, at the 45th session of the Supreme Council held in the State of Kuwait on Sunday, December 1, 2024, discussed the critical and dangerous challenges facing the region, especially the Israeli aggression against Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, and the occupation's violations in the city of Jerusalem and the Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The Supreme Council demanded a halt to the crimes of killing and collective punishment in Gaza, the displacement of residents, and the destruction of civilian facilities and infrastructure, including health facilities, schools, and places of worship, in clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law. The Council called for intervention to protect civilians, halt the war, and sponsor serious negotiations to reach sustainable solutions, reaffirming its firm stances on the Palestinian cause, ending the occupation, and supporting the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all occupied Palestinian territories since June 1967, establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and guaranteeing the rights of refugees, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions.
The leaders welcomed the resolutions of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on November 11, 2024, to enhance international action to stop the war on Gaza and achieve lasting and comprehensive peace and implement the two-state solution in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative. They also welcomed the blessed efforts in mobilising support for the recognition of the State of Palestine and leading the international coalition to implement the two-state solution. They also commended the appreciated efforts of the State of Qatar to cease fire in the Gaza Strip and exchange detainees.
The leaders of the GCC states condemned the continued Israeli aggression against Lebanon and warned against the dangers of its continuation and the expansion of the conflict, which would lead to dire consequences for the peoples of the region and for international peace and security.
The Supreme Council welcomed the temporary ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and looked forward to this being a step towards stopping the war and Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territories, implementing Security Council Resolution 1701, and the return of displaced persons to their homes. The leaders expressed full solidarity with the brotherly Lebanese people, recalling the efforts of the State of Kuwait and the GCC initiative regarding Lebanon, and called on the brothers in Lebanon to prioritise the supreme national interest, emphasise the political path to resolving differences between Lebanese components, and strengthen Lebanon's historical role in preserving Arab national security and Arab culture, as well as its deep fraternal relations with the GCC states.
The leaders welcomed the continued efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman with all Yemeni parties to revive the political process.
The leaders affirmed the peaceful approach of the GCC states and prioritising dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all disputes in the region and beyond, in accordance with the requirements of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, respecting the sovereignty of states, the integrity of their territories, their national unity, and their political independence, and refraining from the use or threat of force.
The leaders commended the growing role of the GCC states in addressing political, security, and economic challenges in this region and beyond, and their contribution to resolving issues that threaten peace, security, and stability, promoting international dialogue and communication between peoples, and fruitful strategic partnerships with other countries and groups, and emphasising the importance of following up on the decisions issued by the summits and ministerial meetings held in this context, to ensure the full implementation of these decisions according to specific timelines, and maximising the benefits expected from them according to well-studied practical bases.
Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states, directed the intensification of efforts to consolidate this role and enhance the region's position as an international centre for business and the economy, and the continuation of efforts aimed at sustainable economic diversification, achieving stability in energy markets, and successfully dealing with climate change. The leaders also directed the importance of the full and rapid implementation of the decisions agreed upon within the framework of the Cooperation Council, which achieves the interests and aspirations of the citizens of the GCC states.
Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Council, expressed their keenness on the continued empowerment of GCC women in all fields, strengthening the essential role of youth in the GCC states, and the importance of the role of universities, research centres, thinkers, and opinion leaders in protecting the Gulf identity and heritage, authentic Arab culture, and the system of lofty Islamic values, and the principles of good governance, affirming the role of the Cooperation Council institutions in achieving these goals.
Within the framework of the GCC states' efforts to achieve economic diversification and transition to a sustainable and innovative economic model, the leaders of the GCC states stressed the strategic importance of the digital economy as a main pillar supporting the future of development in the region. They affirmed that the digital economy represents a historical opportunity to enhance economic growth and achieve integration among the GCC states. The leaders of the GCC states also praised the advanced and flexible digital infrastructure that characterises the GCC states, considering it a key factor supporting digital economic aspirations. They affirmed that the investments of the GCC states in fifth-generation networks, high-speed communication technologies, and large data centres have enhanced their readiness to be a global centre for the digital economy, contributing to accelerating innovation, supporting emerging technologies, and attracting digital investments.
The leaders pointed to the importance of strategic investments in information technology fields such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. They explained that this technology and these investments have placed the GCC states in a leading position enabling them to benefit from the global digital transformation process, focusing on developing innovative applications in the fields of renewable energy, healthcare, education, transportation, and financial services.
The leaders stressed the need to enhance cooperation among the GCC states to develop joint digital strategies that contribute to achieving digital integration among their economies, including facilitating e-commerce, developing digital payment systems, and supporting cybersecurity. They also called for accelerating work on establishing unified digital markets that enhance regional economic integration and contribute to enhancing competitiveness among the GCC states globally.
The leaders pointed out that the GCC states, thanks to their diverse resources and advanced human and technological capabilities, are increasingly contributing to supporting the global economy. They affirmed that the GCC states' digital initiatives are not limited to achieving national goals only, but extend to enhancing innovation and global economic growth, thus consolidating the region's position as an influential digital economic force capable of facing future challenges and providing sustainable solutions.
The leaders stressed the importance of continuing to develop digital infrastructure and expand the adoption of emerging technologies, focusing on developing the human technical competencies and cadres capable of leading the digital transformation. They affirmed that the vision of the GCC states for the digital future is based on achieving a balance between innovation and economic growth, on the one hand, and preserving environmental and social sustainability, on the other hand.
The leaders concluded by emphasising that these joint efforts reflect the commitment of the GCC states to keeping pace with global developments, enhancing the well-being of their peoples, and consolidating their role as a global hub for the digital economy, ensuring sustainable prosperity for the region and the world as a whole.
Issued in Kuwait City,
Sunday, 29 Jumada al-Ula 1446 AH, corresponding to December 1, 2024 AD