GCC Secretary-General: Strengthening Islamic Ties, Unity against Challenges, and Support for Palestine at Islamic Summit
Jasem Albudaiwi, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), emphasized the importance of the Islamic connection among GCC member countries and their desire to strengthen ties with other Islamic nations.
He made these remarks during the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul, Gambia.
The conference, organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, brought together delegations from the 57 OIC member states under the theme "Enhancing unity and solidarity through dialogue for sustainable development." Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC's commitment to cooperation and partnerships with Islamic countries, rooted in their shared culture, religion, and prophetic tradition.
Albudaiwi, in his speech, emphasized the important role of the GCC and OIC in addressing the multiple crises in the region and the world.
He specifically mentioned the situation in Palestine and Gaza, which he described as being under attack by Israeli occupation forces.
Albudaiwi also highlighted the outcomes of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic joint summit held in Riyadh last year, which resulted in the creation of a ministerial committee to aid and protect Palestinians in Gaza by reducing violence, safeguarding civilians, and reviving peace initiatives.
The text summarizes a speech given by the chief of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) praising the role of a committee in stopping aggression in the Gaza Strip, aligning with other Arab and Islamic organizations.
He highlighted the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, with over 35,000 deaths, mostly children and women, at an average rate of 165 per day.
The GCC chief also emphasized the security threats and instability in the region, linking it to the crisis in Palestine and Gaza.
He called for renewed commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their rights through collective and responsible action.
Albudaiwi stressed the importance of prioritizing sustainable development in the agendas of the GCC and the OIC.
He highlighted the need for collaboration to address environmental and economic challenges and encouraged increased cooperation in science, technology, and innovation to support sustainable development projects.