His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the leaders of the Council attach great importance to supporting youth and bolstering their journey in the GCC countries, believing in their crucial role in building a brighter and more sustainable future for our nations.
He highlighted the significance of joint Gulf work and continuous coordination to promote the youth journey in the GCC, in line with the aspirations of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the Leaders of the GCC, as well as the launch of programmes and initiatives supported by the Committee of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Youth and Sports in the GCC, to elevate the youth sector as an economic and social contributor to achieving the shared GCC objectives.
This came during the 38th meeting of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Youth and Sports in the GCC, held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in Kuwait, chaired by His Excellency Mr Abdulrahman Badah Al Mutairi, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs in Kuwait – President of the current session – in the presence of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Youth and Sports in the GCC.
At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency the GCC 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 and President of the current session of the Supreme Council of the GCC for his continuous support and the blessed efforts exerted by His Highness, as well as to Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the Council for their commitment to advancing joint Gulf work in all fields, especially regarding youth in the GCC, fulfilling their aspirations for more cooperation, connectivity, and integration in order to achieve the noble goals of the Council.
He also congratulated the State of Kuwait on occasion of the 64th Independence Day and the 34th Liberation Day, and on the remarkable success it achieved in hosting and organising the 26th Gulf Cup. He congratulated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on launching the Federal Youth Authority's "National Youth Agenda 2031," which represents a roadmap for empowering youth and enhancing their roles as essential partners in achieving sustainable development.
He hailed Bahrain for its outstanding achievements, including winning the Arab Government Excellence Award for the best youth empowerment project with its national initiative "Lamea," as well as its victory in the 26th Gulf Cup held in Kuwait, reflecting its commitment to developing youth capabilities and enhancing its sports presence regionally and internationally.
He also extended congratulations to Saudi Arabia, its leadership, government, and people on the Founding Day and its successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup, which highlights Saudi Arabia's increasing stature in organising major events.
His Excellency also mentioned the receipt of the Asian Olympic Council flag in honour of hosting the 2029 Winter Asian Games in Neom, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he expressed his gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for organising the "Together We Advance" and "Meeting with Officials… Dialogue and Communication" programmes during 2024, reflecting the Sultanate's commitment to providing platforms for constructive dialogue between youth and officials.
Moreover, His Excellency congratulated Qatar on its significant sporting achievements, including the hosting of the Under-17 World Cup for the next five years starting in 2025 and the 2027 Basketball World Cup, which underscores Qatar's international standing.
Furthermore, His Excellency noted in his speech at the meeting that since the inception of the GCC, youth have been always at the heart of the interests of Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC due to their pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and being the driving force behind building a prosperous future for the Council.
"Based on this vision, the GCC countries have been keen to empower youth, enhance their participation in various sectors, and create a supportive environment for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship to realise their aspirations and ambitions," he stated.
In this context, he pointed out that the governments of the GCC countries, under the wise leadership of Their Majesties and Highnesses their leaders, are working to integrate the needs of youth into their national strategies, keeping pace with global changes and optimising investment in human capital.
"The latest statistics from the GCC Statistical Centre indicate that the age group of 15 to 34 years reached approximately 22.1 million young men and women in 2024, representing 38.4% of the total population of the GCC countries. This high percentage reflects both the potential of youth and the promising opportunities that should be invested in and empowered, as well as the significant demographic weight of youth in building the future of our nations," His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi explained.
He expressed pride that the GCC has made notable progress in global innovation and youth development indices at both the Arab and global levels, reflecting the success of the policies and strategies adopted by the Council to enhance the status of youth and empower them.
His Excellency the GCC Secretary General concluded his speech by affirming the General Secretariat's support for enhancing Gulf cooperation to launch quality initiatives that meet the aspirations of youth and support their effective contribution to building a brighter and more prosperous future for the GCC countries and communities.
