KUWAIT: Cabinet announced Wednesday Kuwait’s official delegation attending the 45th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit. During their weekly meeting, held Wednesday at Bayan Palace and chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Cabinet expressed its warm welcome to the leaders of the GCC member states and their accompanying delegations, who are arriving to Kuwait for summit, set to be held on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
According to a statement made by Shareeda Al-Maousherji, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, the ministers said they looked forward with optimism to the outcomes of the summit, wishing success to the leaders in advancing the GCC’s efforts and fulfilling the aspirations of the Gulf peoples.
The lineup includes His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and Shareeda Al-Maousherji, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs.
Additionally, Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya, Minister of Public Works Noura Al-Mashaan, and Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel will be part of the delegation. The remaining ministers are Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs Noura Al-Fassam and Minister of Oil Tareq Al-Roumi. The delegation also includes senior officials from the Amiri Diwan, the Diwan of the Crown Prince, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
GCC Summit agenda
In a separate statement, Foreign Minister Al-Yahya said the summit will address a range of important political and economic issues. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Minister Al-Yahya explained that the summit’s agenda will include discussions on strategic partnerships, cybersecurity, as well as the completion of the GCC electricity interconnection network and the GCC railway projects.
GCC Foreign ministers are expected to arrive Thursday for a preparatory session of the GCC Ministerial Council, held the same day. The schedule will also include a visit to the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center to view the "Gulf Cooperation Council Journey” exhibition, which showcases the council’s achievements and key historical milestones.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said the Ministerial Council will review reports on the progress of decisions made at the 44th GCC Summit in Doha, as well as discuss memoranda from the various ministerial and technical committees, the General Secretariat, and issues related to strategic partnerships and dialogue with global countries and organizations. The meeting will also address the latest regional and international developments affecting the Gulf region. The Secretary-General emphasized the importance of this meeting as a key step in reinforcing Gulf cooperation and ensuring the success of the upcoming summit.
Security arrangements
Kuwait’s government agencies are working around the clock to prepare for the summit. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Lieutenant General Sheikh Salem Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, emphasized Wednesday that all military and security sectors are mobilizing their full capabilities to ensure the success of the summit in a manner befitting the reputation of Kuwait.
This statement came in a press release issued by the ministry, following a field visit conducted by Sheikh Salem Al-Nawaf, accompanied by other security officials. The visit aimed to review the security and logistical preparations being made for the summit.
Sheikh Salem Nawaf was briefed on the security plans, which include the involvement of the Kuwait National Guard, the Kuwait Fire Force, and other relevant agencies, to ensure the safety of dignitaries during the summit. During the visit, the roles and responsibilities of each unit involved in the security arrangements were discussed, highlighting the importance of seamless cooperation in protecting the participants and maintaining order.