ShareKUWAIT: Leaders and representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called on Sunday for an immediate cessation of war crimes in Gaza, the forced displacement of civilians, and the end of the Zionist occupation of Palestinian territories. They reiterated their unwavering stance on the Palestinian cause, affirming full support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all territories occupied since June 1967 and advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statements came as part of the Kuwait Declaration issued at the 45th GCC Summit, which was hosted by Kuwait. The declaration underscored the GCC’s consistent commitment to the Palestinian cause, highlighting the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights and sovereignty amidst continued occupation and violence.
During the summit, the GCC leaders also lauded the growing role of the Gulf states in addressing various regional and global challenges, spanning political, security, and economic spheres. They praised the council’s efforts in resolving issues that threaten peace, security, and stability in the region, emphasizing the importance of enhancing international dialogue and fostering stronger connections among nations.
The declaration further emphasized the need for continued efforts to solidify the GCC’s role on the world stage, positioning the region as a leading hub for business and economics. It called for a more integrated approach to regional development, with an emphasis on sustainable economic diversification, promoting digital transformation, and stabilizing energy markets. Additionally, the leaders reinforced their commitment to confronting the global challenge of climate change through collective action and collaboration.
Support for Palestine
The GCC Summit called for an immediate halt to the killings, collective punishment, forced displacement of civilians, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure — including hospitals, schools, and places of worship — which constitute flagrant violations of international law and humanitarian principles. The summit also called for intervention to protect civilians, halt the war, and facilitate serious negotiations for sustainable solutions. The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, advocating for the end of the Zionist occupation, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and the recognition of East Jerusalem as its capital. They also reiterated their support for the rights of Palestinian refugees in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and international resolutions.
The GCC leaders welcomed the decisions taken at the Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia on November 11, 2024, to enhance international efforts to end the war on Gaza, achieve comprehensive and lasting peace, and implement the two-state solution based on the Arab Peace Initiative. They also appreciated Qatar’s efforts in securing a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating the exchange of detainees.
The GCC leaders condemned the ongoing Zionist aggression against Lebanon and warned against its expansion, which could have severe consequences for the people of the region and for international peace and security. They expressed support for the temporary ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and viewed it as a step toward halting the war, ensuring Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territories, and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, as well as the return of displaced persons to their homes.
The leaders expressed full solidarity with the Lebanese people, recalling Kuwait’s efforts and the GCC initiative on Lebanon, urging Lebanese leaders to prioritize national interests and reaffirm the political path to resolve internal conflicts. They also emphasized Lebanon’s vital role in preserving Arab national security, Arab culture, and maintaining strong relations with GCC states.
Peaceful conflict resolution
The leaders praised the continuous efforts of Saudi Arabia and Oman to revive the political process in Yemen, reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful resolution and the enhancement of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional disputes in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
The GCC reaffirmed its collective commitment to a peaceful approach, encouraging dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes both within and outside the region, while respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of states and refraining from the use of force or threats.
The leaders also acknowledged the growing role of the GCC states in addressing regional and global challenges. They commended the council’s contributions in resolving issues that threaten peace, stability, and security, while enhancing international dialogue and fostering partnerships with other nations and groups.
Economic integration
The leaders called for continued efforts to position the GCC region as a center for international business and economics. They highlighted the importance of continuing efforts for sustainable economic diversification, ensuring stability in energy markets, and addressing climate change. The leaders also called for the swift and full implementation of all decisions within the framework of the GCC that benefit the citizens of member states and align with their aspirations.
Youth empowerment
The leaders expressed their commitment to continuing efforts to empower women in the Gulf and strengthen the role of youth across the GCC states. They emphasized the importance of universities, research centers, intellectuals, and thought leaders in preserving Gulf identity, Arabic culture, and Islamic values, alongside promoting sound governance practices. They affirmed the role of GCC institutions in achieving these goals.
In line with the GCC’s pursuit of economic diversification and sustainable, innovative development, the leaders underscored the strategic importance of the digital economy as a key pillar supporting the region’s future growth. They highlighted the digital economy as a historic opportunity to promote economic growth and enhance integration among GCC states.
Digital economy
The leaders praised the advanced and resilient digital infrastructure in GCC countries, recognizing it as a fundamental enabler of their digital economic ambitions. They noted that investments in 5G networks, high-speed connectivity, and data centers have strengthened the region’s readiness to become a global hub for the digital economy, thereby accelerating innovation, supporting emerging technologies, and attracting digital investments.
The leaders acknowledged the importance of strategic investments in information technology fields such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. These investments have positioned the GCC states at the forefront of the global digital transformation, focusing on innovative applications in renewable energy, healthcare, education, transportation, and financial services.
They reiterated the importance of enhancing cooperation among GCC states to develop common digital strategies that will contribute to digital integration across their economies, including facilitating e-commerce, developing digital payment systems, and supporting cybersecurity. The leaders also called for accelerating the creation of unified digital markets to enhance regional economic integration and boost the competitiveness of GCC countries globally.
Global contributions
The GCC leaders affirmed that, thanks to their diverse resources, human capital, and advanced technological capabilities, they are increasingly contributing to the global economy. They stressed that the GCC’s digital initiatives are not only aimed at achieving national goals but also at fostering global innovation and economic growth, thus cementing the region’s role as a digital economic power capable of addressing future challenges and providing sustainable solutions.
Finally, the leaders stressed the importance of continuing to develop digital infrastructure, expanding the adoption of emerging technologies, and focusing on the development of skilled human resources capable of leading the digital transformation. They emphasized that the GCC’s vision for the digital future aims to balance innovation and economic growth with environmental and social sustainability. These collective efforts reflect the commitment of the GCC states to stay ahead of global developments, improve the well-being of their peoples, and establish the region as a global hub for digital economy, ensuring sustainable prosperity for the region and the world. — KUNA
