Leaders and heads of delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States convened the 41st session of the GCC Supreme Council today at Maraya Concert Hall in Al-Ula. Upon their arrival at the Hall, the leaders and heads of delegations were received by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense. Commemorative photos were taken on the occasion. -- More 15:35 LOCAL TIME 12:35 GMT 0017
Leaders of GCC States Convene 41st Session of Supreme Council 2 Al-Ula On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the session was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's official delegation includes Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of State and Cabinet's Member Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban. At the outset of the meeting verses from the Holy Quran were recited. --More 15:54 LOCAL TIME 12:54 GMT 0018
Leaders of GCC States Convene 41st Session of Supreme Council 3 Al-Ula Then, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, delivered the following speech: "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Praise be to Allah, and may blessings and peace be upon our prophet Mohammed, and upon his family and companions. My brothers, Your Majesties, and Highnesses, Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you, On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, I am pleased to welcome you to your second country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We ask Allah Almighty to help us continuing the march of goodness and cooperation in order to achieve our common interest to serve our peoples and to consolidate the security and stability of our region. Your Majesties and Highnesses; We miss this year two great leaders who had a significant role in supporting the joint Gulf action, Sultan Qaboos bin Said and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad. In recognition of their great efforts over decades in the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques directed that this summit shall be named (the Summit of Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah), asking Allah Almighty to bestow mercy upon their souls. We also wish all success for Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in continuing the march of progress, growth, and prosperity in their countries and supporting our joint Gulf action. We express great thanks and appreciation for the efforts to bridge the gap, as these efforts were led by Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad and continued by Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad. In this regard, we also hail endeavors of the United States of America and all parties that have contributed. These efforts led to reach "Al-Ula Declaration" that will be signed at this summit which affirms the importance of the solidarity and stability in the Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries and strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among our countries and peoples in order to serve their aspirations. Today, we are in utmost need to unite our efforts to advance our region and confront the challenges that surround us, particularly the threats posed by the Iranian regime's nuclear program, its ballistic missile program, its destructive sabotage projects as well as its terrorist and sectarian activities adopted by Iran and its proxies to destabilize the security and stability in the region. These actions put us in a position to call the international community to work seriously in order to stop these programs and projects that threaten regional and international peace and security. Your Majesties and Highnesses, This entity has been established based on the special relationship among our countries and common denominators, including the bonds of faith, kinship, and our peoples' common destiny. From this standpoint, we have to realize the high goals and foundations on which the Council is based to continue the march and achieve integration in all fields. In this regard, we refer to the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to strengthen integration among the GCC states, which was approved by the Supreme Council in the thirty-sixth session, and the progress it has witnessed in implementing its contents over the past years. We also emphasize the importance of increasing efforts to complete the remaining steps towards achieving that vision. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's firm and continuous policy, future plans, and ambitious development vision (the Kingdom Vision 2030) prioritizes a unified and solid Gulf Cooperation Council, in addition to strengthening the Arab and Islamic cooperation in a way that serves the security, stability, and prosperity of our countries and the region. In conclusion, we ask Allah Almighty to guide our steps. Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you". --More 16:57 LOCAL TIME 13:57 GMT 0020
Leaders of GCC States Convene 41st Session of Supreme Council 4 Al-Ula After that, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, delivered a speech, in which he expressed his sincere thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the warm reception, hospitality, and excellent organization of this summit, praising the keenness of all participants to hold this meeting which will support joint GCC and Arab action, and achieve our peoples aspirations. Sheikh Nawaf praised the historic achievement by signing the statement of Al-Ula, recalling the sincere role played by the late Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who contributed greatly to the success of this agreement. Sheikh Nawaf appreciated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leadership for its initiative by naming this summit after Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah, as an appreciation for their efforts in serving the Arab, Islamic, international and humanitarian issues. Sheikh Nawaf expressed his deep appreciation of President of the United States of America Donald Trump and Counselor Jared Kushner, praising their efforts in support of this agreement as well as the keenness of the GCC countries' leaders and Egypt to exert more efforts to achieve their peoples' aspirations. The Emir of Kuwait appreciated the prominent role of Egypt and its stances in supporting the region's security and stability. Sheikh Nawaf concluded that naming the Declaration of Al-Ula as "The Solidarity Agreement" reflects our keenness on the cohesion and unity of the Arab nation. --More 17:10 LOCAL TIME 14:10 GMT 0021
Leaders of GCC States Convene 41st Session of Supreme Council 5 Al-Ula Then, the leaders and the heads of the GCC member states' delegations signed the final communique of the summit as well as Al-Ula Declaration. The 41st Supreme Council session's meeting was attended by Senior Advisor to US President Jared Kushner, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yosef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen and Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. The Arab Republic of Egypt also took part in the workings of the meeting, represented by Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shukri. HRH the Crown Prince held a lunch banquet on this occasion.
