Manama: Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), remarked on the significance of the 19th meeting of the Speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National, and Ummah Councils of GCC countries. He stated that the meeting reflects the ongoing efforts since 2007 to strengthen a unified Gulf parliamentary stance and foster cooperation in legislative, political, and humanitarian fields, aiming for further integration and unity.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives, and included the presence of the Speakers of the GCC legislative councils. It was convened in Manama.
Albudaiwi expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his support of collective Gulf efforts and congratulated Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim on his election as Speaker of the Shura Council of Qatar.
He acknowledged the progress made during the United Arab Emirates' leadership of the committee, which bolstered Gulf parliamentary cooperation and increased its influence in regional and international arenas. He mentioned that the first GCC-European Union parliamentary meeting, held in Abu Dhabi in June 2025, was commended at the 29th GCC-EU Joint Ministerial Meeting in Kuwait on October 6.
The Secretary General highlighted the importance of maintaining ongoing parliamentary dialogue with the EU to foster shared values and interests.
Additionally, he pointed to the symposium organized by the UAE Federal National Council on "The Legislative Role of Gulf Legislative Councils in AI Governance: Reality, Challenges, and Future Prospects". This event provided significant recommendations for a cohesive Gulf vision for AI governance and a legislative tool supporting legal and technical integration.
Albudaiwi expressed optimism that the meeting would have a positive impact on GCC parliamentary cooperation, enhance its global presence, and uphold the humanitarian principles shared by GCC member states.