Latest news with #Al-Budaiwi
Kuwait Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
GCC demands immediate international action to end Israel's blockade of Gaza
GAZA: A Palestinian boy makes his way to receive a portion of hot food distributed by a charity kitchen at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on July 15, 2025. - AFP RIYADH: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi strongly condemned on Monday the ongoing inhumane and illegal blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation forces on Gaza, and the prevention of humanitarian aid from entering the territory. In an official statement, Al-Budaiwi described the siege and its resulting humanitarian catastrophe - characterized by the spread of starvation and the depletion of food and medical supplies - as a violation of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and fundamental human rights principles. He emphasized that the blockade constitutes a direct challenge to the international community and affirmed that the GCC holds the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, including what he described as a deliberate policy of collective starvation - a practice that constitutes a war crime requiring urgent international accountability. Al-Budaiwi urged the international community, including all governments, institutions, and organizations, to take immediate and serious action to end the brutal blockade, halt the killing and starvation, ensure the swift entry of humanitarian aid, reopen border crossings without delay, and save the lives of innocent civilians from a looming catastrophe. He reiterated the GCC's firm position in support of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights - the right to a dignified life, freedom, self-determination, and the achievement of a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. - KUNA
Kuwait Times
13-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
GCC seeks stronger energy and security alliances at Dubrovnik
DUBROVNIK: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi held a series of high-level meetings on Saturday at the Dubrovnik Forum 2025, focused on boosting energy security and expanding strategic partnerships with European and international allies. Al-Budaiwi and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković discussed a proposal to host a joint Gulf-European conference on energy security. According to the GCC Secretariat, the conference would include representatives from both the public and private sectors and aims to 'strengthen partnerships and address common energy challenges.' The two officials also reviewed progress in ongoing negotiations for a Gulf-European Free Trade Agreement (FTA), reaffirming their commitment to implementing the outcomes of the 2023 Gulf-European Summit to deepen cooperation across sectors. DUBROVNIK: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi speaks during a panel discussion reviewed the prospects for cooperation between Mediterranean countries and the rest of the world. — KUNA photos Jasem Al-Budaiwi holds talks with NATO Deputy Secretary-General Radmila Shekerinska to explore ways to enhance defense cooperation between the GCC and the alliance. Jasem Al-Budaiwi engages with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković at the Dubrovnik Forum 2025. On the sidelines of the forum, Al-Budaiwi also met with NATO Deputy Secretary-General Radmila Shekerinska to explore ways to enhance defense cooperation between the GCC and the alliance. The two sides 'discussed a host of regional and international issues of joint interest,' the Secretariat noted, including ways to bolster security collaboration. In a separate meeting with Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Al-Budaiwi reiterated the GCC's interest in strengthening ties with the EU. Talks covered ongoing FTA discussions and further plans for the proposed Gulf-European energy summit. Al-Budaiwi also participated in a high-level panel which reviewed the prospects for cooperation between Mediterranean countries and various countries of the world, as well as regional and international organizations. He highlighted the GCC's strategic geographic position, economic weight, and credibility as key reasons it remains a 'reliable and influential partner' in promoting regional stability and sustainable development. 'The GCC countries aspire to continue deepening dialogue and cooperation with regional and international partners,' Al-Budaiwi said during the panel. He emphasized the council's growing role in global energy security and its contributions to global peace and development. The Dubrovnik Forum, hosted in Croatia from July 11–12, gathered regional and global leaders to discuss pressing political, economic, and security issues. Al-Budaiwi thanked Croatia for organizing what he described as 'a prestigious international platform' that helps build consensus on shared global challenges. — KUNA
Arab Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Hosts GCC Energy Workshop
KUWAIT CITY, July 2: A high-level Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) workshop on protecting the infrastructure of the oil and gas sector and crisis management kicked off Tuesday, at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition in Ahmadi, Kuwait. The three-day event is jointly organized by the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), and the GCC Emergency Management Center. During the workshop, GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi said in a recorded speech that GCC energy supplies represent a fundamental pillar of global supply, concurrently noting that the Gulf states are working to implement ambitious development plans, which in turn would lead to an increase in local energy demand. The GCC chief said that the developing world is witnessing rapid progress and a growing demand for energy, noting that the Asia-Pacific region is expected to account for 50 percent of the global GDP by 2040, making it one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. GCC faces three main challenges; adapting to the global energy transition, meeting increasing domestic demand, and ensuring the security and stability of the global energy market, he pointed out. The security and safety of energy assets in the Gulf region are fundamental to the global market, as ongoing developments and conflicts in the region indicated that any future events in the Middle East could directly impact three out of the world's seven strategic maritime chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Suez Canal, Al-Budaiwi stressed. The current conflicts not only threaten global supply chains, Al-Budaiwi emphasized, but also affect national and cross-border development projects such as connectivity initiatives between the European Union and the Middle East, which rely on safe passage through the Levant and the Mediterranean Sea. In a similar recorded statement, United Nations Undersecretary General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov emphasized that the meeting takes place amid a period of escalating global security threats. He highlighted that UN General Assembly Resolution 77/298 unequivocally condemns terrorist attacks targeting energy infrastructure and underscores the need for strengthened cooperation among governments, international organizations, and the private sector. Voronkov further noted that the Security Council has introduced a technical guide for the protection of critical energy infrastructure from terrorist threats, developed with the support of the Russia and Turkmenistan. He underscored that the guide is the product of in-depth research, broad international consultations, and the collective expertise of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, in collaboration with the Working Group on Emerging Threats and Infrastructure Protection. In her remarks at the workshop, UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Tahir emphasized that this meeting offers a key opportunity to promote best practices, share expertise, and highlight the Gulf countries' progress in building comprehensive security frameworks regionally and nationally. Al-Tahir highlighted that, for decades, the Gulf states have served as a cornerstone of global energy security and sustainable development, being home to vast reserves of oil and natural gas and playing a vital role in ensuring stable energy supplies worldwide. She reaffirmed the UN's role, especially the Kuwait office, in supporting shared security goals, expressing confidence that the meeting would yield practical, impactful results. Dr. Rashid Al-Marri, Head of the GCC Emergency Management Center, emphasized that the meeting offers a vital platform to boost cooperation to protect oil and gas infrastructure; key pillars of Gulf economies and global energy stability. He highlighted the need for greater readiness amid growing threats, including terrorism, cyberattacks, and geopolitical tensions. He noted the center's role in coordinating crisis response among member states, developing a regional emergency plan covering 13 types of risks, and working closely with the UN Office of Counterterrorism on training and capacity-building. On his part, KOC's Assistant CEO, Musaed Al-Rasheed, stressed the importance of strengthening regional and international partnerships to secure maritime routes and energy supplies, especially as the industry faces complex geopolitical, industrial, and natural threats.(KUNA)
Daily Tribune
27-06-2025
- Daily Tribune
Gulf Shield
TDT | Manama Strategy spans rehab and policing The Gulf Cooperation Council has unveiled a sweeping anti-drug strategy for 2025 to 2028 that combines tougher enforcement with social reintegration programmes, marking one of the most comprehensive Gulf-wide actions against drug trafficking and addiction to date. GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi announced the plan at a regional celebration for Gulf Anti-Drug Week and the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh yesterday. High-level officials from interior ministries and anti-narcotics agencies across member states were present. Security and society combined Al-Budaiwi said the new strategy reflects unified action based on the directives of Gulf leaders, aiming to reduce both the supply and demand for drugs through an integrated framework that addresses prevention, security, and treatment. Key pillars of the 2025–2028 strategy include cutting supply chains, promoting alternative development, enhancing legislation, combating money laundering linked to drug trafficking, and building a regional monitoring system. It also emphasises training, capacity building, and coordinated awareness campaigns. Rehab and reintegration Significantly, the plan also highlights the importance of social integration for recovering addicts, calling on families and communities to serve as the first line of defence. Al-Budaiwi urged a cultural shift that supports recovering addicts in regaining self-confidence and participating actively in society. Hospitals, treatment centres, and rehabilitation programmes in GCC countries will be tasked with offering support through education, skills training, and job placement, while combating stigma that may hinder longterm recovery. Call for regional unity The Secretary- General stressed that drug control is a shared responsibility and praised ongoing partnerships with ministries of health, justice, education, and social affairs, in addition to customs agencies, coast guards, and national committees. He reaffirmed the GCC's commitment to deepening cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other international bodies to ensure cross-border coordination and lasting impact. The strategy is expected to serve as a unifying roadmap across the region in confronting what Al-Budaiwi called a 'dangerous scourge' threatening Gulf societies and future generations.
Arab Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Gulf states committed to building drug-free societies: Al-Budaiwi
RIYADH, June 26: Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Al-Budaiwi, reaffirmed on Thursday the unwavering commitment of GCC member states to combating drug abuse and trafficking, emphasizing their dedication to safeguarding Gulf communities and reinforcing the safety and security of the region's citizens. His remarks came during a ceremony marking both the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and the Gulf Anti-Drug Week. The event, held at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh, was attended by senior officials from the interior ministries and other relevant authorities of GCC countries. Al-Budaiwi highlighted that the occasion underscores the collective resolve of the Gulf states to continue united efforts to protect societies from the dangers of narcotics, in line with directives issued by GCC leaders. These directives consider the preservation of societal security a shared national responsibility that necessitates cooperation on security, legislative, and awareness-raising fronts. He further explained that the Gulf Anti-Drug Strategy for 2025–2028 provides a comprehensive framework to guide the region's efforts. The strategy focuses on reducing both the supply and demand of drugs, eliminating sources of trafficking, promoting alternative development, strengthening legislation, combating money laundering, and enhancing joint monitoring and capacity-building. It aims to ensure an integrated approach encompassing prevention, treatment, and security measures. Al-Budaiwi stressed that the fight against drugs is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated action and sustainable cooperation between governments, communities, and individuals. He noted that the GCC Secretariat is actively working to implement the strategy and support initiatives that contribute to building drug-free societies. He underscored the pivotal role of families and communities as the first line of defense through education and sustained care. Educational institutions, religious bodies, media organizations, and civil society also play a crucial part in fostering awareness and creating a safe and healthy social environment. Moreover, Al-Budaiwi highlighted the importance of reintegrating recovering addicts into society by providing psychological and social support. He pointed out that GCC countries have established specialized hospitals and rehabilitation centers aimed at treatment, empowerment, and breaking the stigma surrounding addiction. In conclusion, Al-Budaiwi expressed his appreciation for the ongoing collaboration with ministries and agencies across the Gulf, including the ministries of interior, health, education, justice, and social affairs. He also acknowledged the vital roles of customs authorities, coast guards, national committees, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the joint effort to combat drug abuse.
