General Secretariat – Doha.
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that since the establishment of the GCC in 1981, the leaders, both past and present, have demonstrated profound insight and strategic wisdom in recognising the significance of strengthening joint security efforts as a fundamental pillar to ensure the stability and security of the region.
"They have recognised from the inception that the security challenges facing the Gulf region know no borders or identity. Regardless of the magnitude of these challenges, joint cooperation among GCC member states is the most effective way to confront these risks and challenges, ensuring a safe and prosperous future for their peoples," His Excellency said.
This statement was made during the 41st meeting of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Interior of the GCC countries, held on Wednesday (November 20, 2024) in the Qatari capital of Doha, chaired by His Excellency Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) of the State of Qatar, and president of the current session, in the presence of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the committee members.
At the beginning of the meeting, HE the Secretary General extended his profound gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar and President of the current session of the Supreme Council of the GCC, for his immense and unwavering support and the gracious directives aimed at advancing the path of joint Gulf cooperation alongside Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC member states.
On this occasion, HE the Secretary General also extended heartfelt congratulations to Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC member states and their esteemed citizens on the occasion of the celebration of Oman and the upcoming national days of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Qatar, praying to Allah the Almighty to safeguard the member states and to sustain their pride, growth, prosperity and advancement.
During his speech, His Excellency noted that the noble direction towards Gulf security cooperation, along with the tireless and distinguished efforts and the shared security achievements over the past four decades, have made GCC member states a model regionally and globally for joint security work. This has also resulted in a joint Gulf message to the world affirming that "the security of the Gulf is not negotiable, and that the security of the member states is not the responsibility of a single country but a collective duty and a shared destiny”.
HE the Secretary General stated: “The six countries have been blessed with abundant resources and wise leadership that prioritises the interests of their nations and people, referring to the citizens who love their leaders and strive with diligence, capability and efficiency for the advancement of their countries.”
He added: “There are ongoing security challenges which, thankfully, the GCC member states have been able to address, combat, and devise strategies to confront and eliminate. From regional threats due to geopolitical tensions, to the phenomenon of terrorism and extremism that demands high-level security and intelligence coordination, to cybersecurity amid significant digital advancements, alongside the grave risk posed by drug trafficking, which necessitates strengthening our security cooperation and effectively monitoring our borders, the GCC member states, with Allah's assistance and under the noble guidance of their leaders, and with direct oversight from Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Interior, have worked closely and resolutely to enhance security and intelligence cooperation among themselves, bolster security capacities, and develop comprehensive strategies to counter both traditional and non-traditional threats in a constantly changing environment.”
During the meeting, Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers discussed several draft resolutions recommended by Their Excellencies the Undersecretaries of Ministries of Interior. These included the approval of the Gulf Strategy for Combating Drugs 2025-2028, a project to develop systems and link traffic violations among GCC states, the establishment of a Gulf Strategy to Combat Money Laundering, as well as the adoption of digital transformation initiatives and projects for joint security services.
