Latest news with #JassimMohammedAlBudaiwi
The National
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Palestinian state central to prosperity in Middle East, GCC leaders tell Trump
Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip Leaders of the Gulf Co-operation Council told US President Donald Trump that establishing a Palestinian state was central to stability and prosperity in the Middle East, as they gathered for a summit in Riyadh on Wednesday. Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, the bloc's secretary general, said the 'most pressing issue' for the region is Gaza, including getting food and humanitarian aid to its people and the release of hostages held by militants in the territory. 'A sustainable solution is to find one for the establishment of a Palestinian state in line with the UN resolutions and the Arab peace initiative – and is the key to regional stability,' Mr Al Budaiwi told the meeting. 'We look forward to the continuing talks to end the conflict, secure the release of hostages and detainees and the resumption of humanitarian services in Gaza. A peaceful solution will lead to the prosperity of the states in the region.' Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called on the US to work to end the war. Addressing Mr Trump and the GCC leaders, Prince Mohammed said there was a need to find a lasting solution to the Palestinian issue in co-operation with Washington. 'We seek, with you Mr President, and with our brothers in the GCC to de-escalate the conflict in the region and end the war, finding a comprehensive and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue,' he said. Mr Trump said the US wants 'safety and dignity' for the Palestinian people but that is unachievable if Hamas 'takes delight in raping, torturing and murdering innocent people'. He stated that the GCC leaders had played a 'constructive role' in trying to bring the Gaza conflict to an end – including by securing the release of American hostage Edan Alexander, who was freed by Palestinian militants on Monday. Prince Mohammed praised the relationship between the Gulf states and the US, saying it had developed over decades into a 'model of co-ordination'. Gulf states, notably Qatar, along with the US and Egypt, have a played a major role in mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas to end the Gaza conflict since it began more than 18 months ago. A ceasefire brokered by Qatar, the US and Egypt held for several weeks this year until Israel resumed military operations in mid-March. The war has devastated Gaza, with essential services and infrastructure in ruins and humanitarian agencies warning of famine. Israel has vowed to continue fighting until it 'destroys' Hamas and secures the release of all the hostages taken during an attack against southern Israel by the militants on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war. Also during Wednesday's summit, Prince Mohammed praised an announcement from Mr Trump a day earlier that the US would end sanctions on Syria. Several regional leaders had been pushing Washington to ease the sanctions and Prince Mohammed said at the gathering it would 'open a new page for prosperity' for Syria. Mr Trump told Syria's self-declared leader Ahmad Al Shara, whom he met for the first time on Wednesday, that 'he has a tremendous opportunity to do something historic in his country'.
Times of Oman
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
GCC Secretary-General hails Oman's efforts in Yemen conflict resolution
Muscat: His Excellency Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said that the efforts made by the Sultanate of Oman in mediating between the United States and the relevant authorities in the Republic of Yemen, which led to a ceasefire agreement between the two sides, embody the constructive and effective role played by Oman in supporting regional security and stability. His Excellency emphasised that the GCC countries, through their wise and balanced policies, continue to work towards enhancing security and peace at the regional and international levels. His Excellency the Secretary-General also reiterated the importance of de-escalation to maintain regional security and stability and respect the right of maritime navigation therein, in accordance with the provisions of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
68.1mln international tourists visited Gulf countries in 2023: GCC Secretary-General
Kuwait: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, announced that the number of international tourists coming to the GCC countries reached 68.1 million tourists in 2023, with a growth rate of 42.8 percent compared to 2019. During his speech at the ninth meeting of the GCC ministers of tourism, held in Kuwait, Al Budaiwi explained that the value of tourism revenues for the GCC countries amounted to $110.4 billion for the year 2023, with a growth rate of 28.2 percent compared to 2019. He pointed out that the GCC countries recorded qualitative leaps that exceeded all expectations, by achieving 58.7 percent of the 2030 target of $188 billion, noting that the market share of the Gulf countries in global tourism amounted to 5.2 percent, which It consolidates its position as a major hub in the global tourism scene. At the level of added value to the GDP, Al Budaiwi stressed that the tourism sector achieved a significant economic contribution of $223.4 billion to the GCC countries' GDP, with a remarkable annual growth rate of 29.4 percent between 2022 and 2023, adding that the tourism sector provided 1.5 million jobs during 2023, with a growth rate of 17 percent compared to 2020. The Secretary-General of the GCC pointed out that the approval of the implementation of projects within the Gulf Tourism Strategy (2023 - 2030) comes to enhance the tourism status of the GCC countries regionally and internationally, and in accordance with the lofty directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC countries, and then thanks to the efforts of the Committee of Their Excellencies and Highnesses, the Ministers Responsible for Tourism in the GCC countries. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
