The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) praised the 'Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Anti-Corruption Excellence Award', reflecting the State of Qatar's ambitious vision to create a corruption-free world and to enhance international efforts in fighting corruption globally.

The final statement issued by the GCC Supreme Council in its 45th session, held in Kuwait on Sunday, stressed that the award, since its inception in 2016, had become an international platform aimed at honoring organizations, institutions, and individuals who have made distinguished contributions to combating corruption and promoting transparency and good governance worldwide.

The Supreme Council expressed its profound appreciation and gratitude for the sincere and dedicated efforts made by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and his esteemed government during the State of Qatar's presidency of the 44th session of the Supreme Council. The Council congratulated HH Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the state of Kuwait assuming the presidency of the 45th session, wishing it success in enhancing the GCC's journey in all fields.

The Supreme Council praised the third Asian Cooperation Dialogue Summit held in Doha on Oct. 3, 2024, under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The summit, themed "Sport Diplomacy," focused on the role of sport as a tool to promote peace and understanding among peoples and to support the values of tolerance and cooperation, following the success of the World Cup hosted by Qatar in 2022.

The Supreme Council congratulated the State of Qatar for successfully hosting the Web Summit 2024 and allocating USD 1 billion to support startups in Qatar and the region, as part of Qatar's National Vision 2030 to develop a competitive and diversified economy that balances progress and values.

The Supreme Council expressed its deep condolences and grief over the demise of the late HH Shaikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, praying to Allah the Almighty to bestow His vast mercy upon him. He passed away after a life filled with noble deeds and significant achievements, and a journey rich in sincere giving, devoted work for the benefit of the State of Kuwait, its advancement, prosperity, and the welfare of its people.

The Council extended its heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the State of Kuwait, its leadership, government, and people, as well as to the Arab and Islamic nations in this grave loss.

The Supreme Council congratulated HH Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on the occasion of assuming the leadership of the State of Kuwait. The Council expressed its confidence that His Highness will enhance Kuwait's active participation in supporting the blessed journey of the GCC and in achieving its noble goals alongside his brothers the leaders of the Council States, while maintaining the security of the GCC and reinforcing its foundations to ensure stability and prosperity for the Council States and their peoples.

The Supreme Council praised the outcomes of the extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Nov. 11, 2024, which emphasized the centrality of the Palestinian cause and the steadfast support for the Palestinian people in their legitimate rights, including their right to freedom and an independent sovereign state.

The Supreme Council noted the efforts made by the cybersecurity agencies in the GCC States and commended the role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in coordinating with the Council States to develop the Gulf Cybersecurity Strategy (2024-2028) and launching a platform for sharing cybersecurity information among the Council States, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity in maintaining the shared Gulf security system.

The Supreme Council congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his victory in the presidential elections, expressing its eagerness to enhance historic and strategic relations with the United States of America and to work together to achieve peace and stability in the region and the world. The Council extended its best wishes to the friendly American people for progress and prosperity under his leadership.

The Supreme Council reviewed the report of the General Secretariat regarding the progress made in implementing the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, to enhance joint Gulf action, which was approved by the Supreme Council in its 36th session in December 2015.

The Council emphasized the necessity of fully, accurately, and continuously implementing the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, including completing the components of economic unity and the collective defense and security systems, coordinating positions to enhance solidarity and stability among the GCC States, safeguarding their interests, avoiding regional and international conflicts, meeting the aspirations and ambitions of their citizens, and enhancing their regional and international role through unifying political stances and developing strategic partnerships with the international community, regional and international organizations, and brotherly and friendly countries.

The Supreme Council directed the relevant authorities, councils, ministerial and technical committees, and the General Secretariat, as well as all Council agencies, to increase efforts to complete the remaining steps in implementing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' vision, in accordance with a defined timeline and careful follow-up. The Council tasked the General Secretariat with submitting a detailed report on this matter at the next meeting of the Supreme Council.

The Supreme Council reviewed the progress of discussions regarding the implementation of the Supreme Councils decision during its 33rd session concerning the proposal by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may he rest in peace, to move from a phase of cooperation to a phase of union. The Supreme Council directed to continue efforts to transition from cooperation to union, assigning the ministerial council and the head of the specialized authority to complete the necessary procedures and report back to the Supreme Council in its upcoming session.

The Supreme Council emphasized its commitment to the strength and cohesion of the GCC, the unity of its members, and achieving greater coordination, integration, and interconnection in all fields, to fulfill the aspirations of the citizens of the member states. It reiterated that its states stand united against any threats faced by any of the member countries.

The Supreme Council expressed its satisfaction with the outcomes of the 18th periodic meeting of their Excellencies the heads of the Shura, House of Representatives, and National Assembly in the GCC, held on Nov. 12, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Supreme Council reviewed the report on the achievements of the Health Cities Programme in the member states, a report on the implementation of the International Health Regulations regarding joint Gulf efforts in public health emergencies, and the report related to the implementation of the Supreme Council's decision on the labour inspection program.

The Supreme Council approved the unified regulations to empower persons with disabilities within the GCC and amended some provisions of the unified insurance protection system for the GCC citizens.

The Supreme Council praised the accomplishments and efforts of the member states in combating corruption, including the adoption of a guide to enhance integrity through the governance of state-owned enterprises and a disclosure guide for the media content and educational materials provided by the responsible authorities in the member states to promote integrity and combat corruption. The Supreme Council also adopted the legislative policy document for the GCC.

The Supreme Council emphasized the importance of enhancing joint action to maximize the impact of the member states efforts and initiatives related to energy transformations and climate change, activating cooperation, exchanging experiences, and developing enabling capabilities with regional countries under the umbrella of the Green Middle East Initiative.

The Supreme Council reaffirmed its commitment to adopting the fundamental pillars of social, economic, and environmental energy transformations by implementing the principle of shared yet differentiated responsibilities, as agreed upon in the United Arab Emirates Agreement during the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai in 2023, and continued sustainable investments in hydrocarbon resources. The Council welcomed the outcomes of COP29 held in Baku, Azerbaijan in this context.

The Supreme Council stressed the importance of supporting global energy market stability and adopting a balanced approach that does not exclude energy sources but instead innovates technologies that enable emissions management and efficient use of all energy sources to facilitate sustainable economic growth for all.

The Supreme Council praised member states for their achievements and efforts in the four pillars of the circular carbon economy (reducing emissions, reusing them, recycling them, and removing them) that are part of the Green Saudi Initiative, the Green Middle East Initiative, and the nationally determined contributions of the member states (such as renewable energy projects, energy efficiency, clean hydrogen production, carbon capture, storage, and reuse, and nature-based carbon removal solutions). The Council called for enhanced cooperation among member states to implement a circular carbon economy approach in related policies, mechanisms, strategies, plans, and initiatives, including nationally determined contributions.

The Supreme Council welcomed the United Arab Emirates' hosting of the United Nations Water Conference in 2026, reiterating its steadfast commitment to shaping a sustainable future through enhancing international cooperation and advancing innovative solutions to ensure responsible resource management for future generations.

The Supreme Council praised the successful hosting of the "Expo 2023 Doha for Horticulture" in Qatar under the theme "Green Desert, Better Environment", which was attended by 77 countries and millions of visitors, focusing on enhancing environmental sustainability, combating desertification, and encouraging innovation and modern technologies in agricultural development.

The Supreme Council approved the recommendations of the Joint Defense Council at its 21st session and expressed its satisfaction with the progress of joint military action to achieve operational integration among the armed forces of the member states. It commended the joint exercises and coordination meetings that took place over the course of 2024.

The Supreme Council endorsed the Joint Defence Council's recommendation to appoint HE Major General Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Salim Al Balawi as the Commander of the Unified Military Command of the GCC, wishing him success in his mission.

The Supreme Council approved the decisions of the Interior Ministers Committee at its 41st meeting held in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 20, 2024, and welcomed the committee's proposal to develop a Gulf strategy to combat money laundering during 2025, as well as the initiatives and projects related to the digital transformation of joint security services.

The Supreme Council welcomed the efforts undertaken by the Interior Ministers' Committee regarding the unified tourist visa and the project for developing the traffic systems, endorsing the outcomes achieved and delegating the Interior Ministers to take the necessary actions in this regard.

The Supreme Council approved the Gulf strategy to combat drug trafficking for the years 2025 - 2028 and the establishment of a joint committee with relevant authorities to follow up on its implementation.