Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that the cultural journey of the Cooperation Council countries has witnessed, over the past decades, historical milestones and an unprecedented global presence, which enabled it to occupy an advanced global rank in the World Competitiveness Ranking 2023.
He said this was achieved by acquiring a distinct pattern based on a deep-rooted cultural heritage, proud of its Arab and Islamic identity, committed to noble principles and values, and enlightened openness to the civilisations of nations and peoples.
This came during the Secretary General’s participation in the 27th meeting of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Culture on Wednesday (October 11, 2023), held in the Omani capital, Muscat.
The meeting was chaired by His Highness Sayyed Dhi Yazan bin Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Oman, Chairman of the current session, with the participation of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Culture of the Cooperation Council countries.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary General extended the highest expressions of gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Sultan of Oman, Chairman of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, and to Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the Cooperation Council countries, for their generous support and care to the joint Gulf action, advancing it in all areas and fields of culture, praying to Allah the Almighty to bless the GCC countries and its peoples with security, peace and prosperity.
Albudaiwi indicated that Their Highnesses and Excellencies the ministers are reaping the fruits of these achievements, so that the peoples of the GCC countries can prosper, in light of the accelerating global changes, while preserving the youth, the level of intellectual and moral security, and the distinguished Gulf identity.
He also expressed aspiration that this meeting will be a renewed and developed extension of the work of previous meetings and that its results will be a significant addition to the field of joint cultural work and a milestone in the quest for the development of this important area of joint Gulf action.
It is worth noting that a number of topics were discussed during the meeting, most notably coordinating and unifying stances among the GCC countries, and protecting moral, religious and family values in Gulf societies, as well as the annual plan for joint cultural events and activities, in addition to discussing what has been implemented regarding the cultural strategy of the GCC countries 2020-2030, and reviewing plans for joint cultural events, what has been done in relation to international cooperation in the cultural field, and multiple topics, proposals and visions that would support the process of joint Gulf cultural action.
Source: Bahrain News Agency