GCC Secretary-General: GCC Marks 44th Anniversary as Model of Unity, Integration and Cooperation
Riyadh, May 25 (QNA) – The Gulf Cooperation Council’s journey has remained a model of unity, effective integration, and constructive cooperation, despite all regional and international challenges and changes. It has become a pioneering model at both the regional and international levels, across all fronts and in various fields, affirmed GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Addressing the celebration commemorating the 44th anniversary of the GCC’s founding at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat on Saturday, Albudaiwi said that celebrating the 44th anniversary of the launch of the GCC’s blessed journey represents an occasion to recall with pride and gratitude the wise vision of the founding leaders who established this venerable entity on solid foundations, built on deep fraternal ties, a shared destiny, and a shared history among the peoples of the GCC states.
The GCC chief emphasized that the current leaders continue this journey with unwavering determination, maintaining a constant focus on strengthening the bonds of brotherhood among peoples and consolidating the foundations of joint Gulf action, to achieve prosperity and development for their countries and societies.
He noted that the GCC’s journey has witnessed luminous milestones and qualitative achievements that have contributed to consolidating Gulf integration in various fields. The GCC states have become a model to be emulated in collective action and a reliable partner regionally and internationally. They have become the focus of the world’s attention thanks to their strategic vision and balanced policies, which are based on upholding the values of security and peace, and promoting sustainable development and prosperity.
He pointed out that the growing influence of the Council is reflected in events that have taken place over the past few months, with the GCC-EU Summit held, followed a few days ago by the GCC-US Summit, and, a few days later, with the upcoming summits with ASEAN and China. These summits clearly affirm the GCC’s stature and pivotal role in shaping international relations.
Albudaiwi emphasized that these high-level summits between Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states, and their counterparts in these countries, in addition to the 15 ministerial meetings held with other countries, highlight the Council’s ability to build bridges of cooperation with East and West, and to build balanced partnerships that achieve common interests. They also reflect the global appreciation and respect enjoyed by the Gulf states, and the sincere desire of various countries around the world to deepen relations with them on the basis of mutual trust and strategic interests.
In this regard, Albudaiwi reviewed some of the economic achievements made during the past period. The GCC countries ranked as the 11th largest economy in the world, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.1 trillion. The average per capita GDP reached approximately $36,800, which is three times the global average, reflecting rising income levels and improved quality of life for Gulf citizens.
He explained that economic growth in the GCC countries is expected to continue at a higher pace in 2025, reaching 4.5%, with growth in the non-oil sector reaching approximately 3.3% in the same year. This will place the GCC countries collectively among the seven largest global financial regions, with the total market capitalization of the Gulf financial markets representing more than 4.3% of total global market capitalization.
In the field of sustainable development, Albudaiwi said that GCC countries have witnessed significant growth in their production capacity from clean energy sources. The GCC countries’ electricity production capacity from renewable sources has reached 30% of total production in the Middle East and has reached 54.5% of wind energy production, which represents 30% of global production.
The Secretary-General also noted that intra-GCC trade has witnessed remarkable growth, with the volume of intra-GCC exports reaching $131.6 billion – a growth rate of 67% -reflecting the depth of economic integration and the facilitation of the movement of goods between member states. The total capital of public joint-stock companies whose shares are permitted to be traded by citizens of other GCC countries has reached $520.4 billion, a growth rate of 226.9%, demonstrating the flow of Gulf capital and ease of access to markets.
In the field of higher education, Albudaiwi explained that the number of Gulf students enrolled in higher education institutions in GCC countries other than their own has reached approximately 12,800 students, enhancing the exchange of competencies and consolidating the principle of shared economic and educational citizenship. The GCC countries are also among the most prepared in the world to implement the digital economy, with the government readiness index for artificial intelligence exceeding the global average. AI is expected to contribute 34% of the GCC’s GDP by 2030.
In this context, Albudaiwi said that, in keeping pace with the digital and technological transformation, the Ministers of Information of the GCC countries launched this year the joint application for the GCC news agencies. The General Secretariat, through the GCC Statistical Center, also launched the GCC Statistics smartphone application, which provides a reliable window into the reality of the GCC countries with numbers and facts. It offers accurate indicators on development, the economy, society, and the environment, reflecting the scale of the ambitious achievements and comprehensive renaissance witnessed by the GCC countries.
The Secretary-General emphasized that, based on the directives of the GCC leaders to empower and highlight the role of women and youth in the GCC countries, the Secretariat has established two events during the previous period. The first was for Gulf women, under the title “Inspiring Gulf Women,” as part of the celebration of International Women’s Day, to highlight the achievements of Gulf women and the efforts of the GCC countries in the field of women’s empowerment. The second event was the “Gulf Youth Day,” which aimed to support and motivate youth and highlight their creativity and achievements in various fields. These initiatives affirmed the General Secretariat’s support for all segments of society and its dedication to showcasing their efforts and initiatives. (QNA)
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