KUWAIT CITY, Dec 1:  His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah inaugurated the 45th Session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Sunday with an opening address.

Welcoming the leaders and distinguished guests, His Highness extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for his wise leadership and efforts during the previous summit in Doha.

"This gathering, hosted by Kuwait, is a testament to our unity, an embodiment of the strength of our union, and a reflection of our unwavering belief in the necessity of enhancing and unifying GCC joint action," His Highness stated.

He emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation to fulfill the aspirations of the GCC nations, ensuring security, prosperity, and stability. "This requires accelerating efforts to achieve GCC economic integration through unified policies, diversification of income sources, facilitation of trade and investment, and support for local industries," he said.

His Highness underscored the need to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI), to boost the regional and global competitiveness of Gulf economies. He also highlighted education as a cornerstone of progress, aiming to cultivate the talents of Gulf youth to contribute to a unified and integrated economy.

Reflecting on the history of the GCC, His Highness noted, "Since the first GCC summit in Abu Dhabi in 1981, initiated by my late brother Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the GCC has proven that unity and solidarity enable us to achieve prosperity for our people and ensure security."

Addressing global challenges, His Highness called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to ensure the implementation of relevant resolutions, halt violence, provide international protection for civilians, and secure safe corridors for urgent humanitarian aid.

He reiterated Kuwait's unwavering support for Palestine, emphasizing the need to end the Israeli occupation, grant Palestinians their full political rights, and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions.

His Highness also commended Qatar, Egypt, and the United States for their mediation efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon as a step toward de-escalation.

Additionally, he acknowledged the positive gestures from Iran towards the GCC and expressed hope for resolving outstanding issues and fostering cooperation in line with the UN Charter and international law.

Concluding his address, His Highness reaffirmed Kuwait's dedication to advancing joint Gulf action, meeting the aspirations of the GCC people, and building a prosperous and stable future.