His Excellency Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait and current President of the Ministerial Council, and His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held a press conference on Sunday, December 1st, 2024, in Kuwait City, marking the conclusion of the 45th Summit of Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC States.
At the beginning of the conference, His Excellency the Secretary General expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, for the gracious hosting of the 45th session of the Supreme Council. He prayed for His Highness' continued success in presiding over the GCC's current session and for the completion and strengthening of the achievements of the blessed GCC journey with his brothers, the leaders of the GCC States.
He also seized the opportunity to express his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, for the valuable and positive role played by the State of Qatar during its presidency of the previous GCC session. "This presidency significantly contributed to achieving numerous accomplishments, advancing the blessed GCC journey, and enhancing the Council's regional and international standing," His Excellency stated.
Moreover, he praised the summit's success on all levels, as is customary for the outcomes of the GCC leaders' Summits. He pointed out that the summit reinforced the spirit of brotherhood, love, and solidarity among the leaders and peoples of the GCC.
Furthemore, he mentioned that during the 45th session, Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC reviewed many issues related to joint Gulf work. They approved several decisions related to political, economic, security, military, and legislative affairs. These decisions aim to serve the peoples of the GCC states, achieve development and welfare, and enhance integration among the GCC countries, His Excellency stressed.
The summit also discussed several regional and international issues, most notably the situation in the Gaza Strip and other Palestinian territories, and the serious and brutal violations by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people. Their Majesties and Highnesses the GCC leaders reiterated the firm and steadfast positions of the GCC states in supporting the Palestinian cause and making all political and humanitarian efforts to end the crisis in the Gaza Strip. They emphasised the protection of inalienable Palestinian rights, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Furthermore, Their Majesties and Highnesses the GCC leaders also discussed the Iranian occupation of the three islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates, the Durra field, combating terrorism and extremism, the situations in Iraq and Yemen, developments in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Somalia, the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, and other issues related to the GCC's partnerships with various regional and international countries and organisations.
Additionally, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General also read the "Kuwait Declaration" of the 45th session of the Supreme Council of the GCC.
