Manama: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa chaired the opening session of the 46th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Supreme Council, held at Sakhir Palace. The session was attended by leaders and representatives of GCC states, including His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the opening session commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by an address from His Majesty the King. In his speech, King Hamad welcomed the attendees to Bahrain and expressed pride in hosting the summit, emphasizing the commitment to joint Gulf action based on unity and kinship. He thanked His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait, for his leadership in the previous session, which yielded positive outcomes for the GCC.
King Hamad highlighted the GCC’s journey towards greater integration and its status as an influential force in regional and international politics. He praised the GCC’s comprehensive development model, which balances global competitiveness with security and prosperity. The King emphasized the importance of unified policies that focus on Gulf security, national sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs.
The King also addressed the progress made in areas of joint cooperation, such as Gulf citizenship and economic unity, and expressed hopes for further advancements in the GCC customs union, common market, and partnerships in vital sectors like food security, renewable energy, and the digital economy.
In light of regional developments, King Hamad called for collective efforts to address key issues, including the Palestinian cause, through dialogue and diplomacy. He stressed the importance of the Gaza Peace Plan and the need for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Regarding regional stability, King Hamad highlighted the necessity of protecting maritime navigation and maintaining a region free of weapons of mass destruction, in line with the GCC’s strategic approach to collective security and defense.
After King Hamad’s address, His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi delivered their speeches, concluding the opening session. King Hamad then chaired the closed working session of the summit.