44th GCC Summit Final Communique Condemns Attack on Gaza, Affirms Support for Palestinian People -1-

General

The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reviewed the report of the General Secretariat regarding the progress made in implementing the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to enhance joint GCC action. This vision was endorsed by the Supreme Council in its 36th session in December 2015. The Council emphasized the complete, precise, and continuous implementation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' vision, including completing the elements of economic unity, the joint defense and security systems, coordinating positions to enhance solidarity and stability of the Council's countries, preserving their interests, avoiding regional and international conflicts, meeting the aspirations of their citizens, enhancing their regional and international roles through unifying political stances, and developing strategic partnerships with the international community, regional and international organizations, sisterly and friendly countries.

The Supreme Council directed the specialized bodies, ministerial and technical councils, the General Secretariat, and all Council's agencies to redouble efforts to complete the remaining steps to implement the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' vision within a specified timeline and with meticulous follow-up. It tasked the General Secretariat with submitting a detailed report on this matter for the upcoming session of the Supreme Council.

The Council reviewed the consultations on implementing the decision of the Supreme Council in its thirty-second session regarding the proposal of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (may God have mercy on him), to transition from the stage of cooperation to the stage of union. It directed the continuation of efforts to move from the stage of cooperation to the stage of union and tasked the ministerial council and the head of the specialized authority to complete the necessary procedures and present the outcomes to the next session of the Supreme Council.

Moreover, the statement expressed its keenness on the strength and cohesion of the GCC, unity among its members, achieving more coordination, integration, and interconnection in all fields to meet the aspirations of its citizens. It reiterated the unity of its countries in facing any threat to any of them.

The Supreme Council reviewed the developments in joint Gulf work, expressing satisfaction with the steps taken to achieve integration among the Council's countries. It directed the competent bodies in the member states, the General Secretariat, ministerial and technical committees to intensify efforts to complete the requirements of the customs union, finalize the establishment of the common Gulf market according to previous decisions, and expedite achieving economic unity among the GCC countries.

The Supreme Council adopted the unified mandatory volunteer work law, extended the Inputs and Organic Products Law, and approved the rules for preventing and protecting against domestic violence, exploitation, and harm within the GCC countries, affirming the principles stated in the Human Rights Declaration for the GCC countries and in line with relevant regional and international conventions and agreements. It also approved the Muscat Document on Child Protection Rules during the investigative stage as mandatory.

Additionally, the Supreme Council expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the seventeenth regular meeting of Their Excellencies and Their Honors the Presidents of the Legislative Councils (Shura, Representatives, National, and Nation) in the GCC countries, held in Qatar (November 2023), appreciating the efforts made by the member countries' councils to contribute to enhancing joint Gulf work. (MORE)

Source: Qatar News Agency