Head of the Cooperation Council: Gulf States Place Investment in Human Capital and Capacity Development at the Core of Their Priorities - Sarmad
(KUNA) – The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Al-Bedaiwi, said in Manama on Wednesday that the Gulf states’ focus on youth is reflected in their national visions and strategies, which place human capital investment and capacity development at the core of their priorities.
This was stated in a speech delivered by Al-Bedaiwi during his participation in the 39th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Youth and Sports, held under the chairmanship of Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs, Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma, and the ministers of youth and sports from the GCC member states.
The GCC Secretary-General extended his highest expressions of gratitude, appreciation, and thanks to Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for hosting the meeting, and for the facilitations and support provided and continued by the Kingdom to ensure the success of the GCC’s work, as well as for the backing and attention accorded to joint Gulf efforts by the Bahraini King and the leaders of the GCC member states, may God protect and guard them, across all fields.
Al-Bedaiwi added that GCC states have worked to expand youth participation across various sectors and to create an enabling environment for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, empowering them to play a more effective role in economic and social development.
He emphasized that youth constitute a central pillar in the Gulf states, in line with the visions and orientations of the GCC leaders, based on their conviction in the pivotal role of young people in the development process, given that they represent an active national force that contributes to building the future of our countries, enhancing their competitiveness, and consolidating the foundations of their sustainable prosperity.
In his speech, he pointed out the landmark youth initiatives and programs underway in GCC states, including the United Arab Emirates’ launch of the “Youth Spaces” initiative, Bahrain’s establishment of the “Youth City 2030,” Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, Oman’s launch of the Youth Ambassadors program, Qatar’s adoption of the Youth Creativity Award in the data world, and Kuwait’s launch of the Kuwait Tech Entrepreneurship Program.
He affirmed that these initiatives and events clearly demonstrate the high status accorded to the youth of the GCC member states in the priorities of the ministers of youth and sports, and the distinguished efforts made to translate the directives of the GCC leaders—may God protect and guard them—into pioneering initiatives that invest in youth potential, hone their skills, broaden their participation opportunities, and enable them to contribute effectively to shaping the future of their countries and advancing the shared Gulf development process.
