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The seventh Gulf Businesswomen's Forum, organised by the Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC) in co-operation with the Qatar Chamber (QC) and with the support of the General Secretariat of the Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), concluded on Thursday. The event was held under the theme "Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Investment". The forum's final statement, issued after two days of discussions, called for encouraging Gulf women to enter promising economic sectors, promoting digital transformation and the adoption of modern technologies in women's business projects, and empowering them to utilise smart solutions to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. The statement also emphasised the need to increase the participation of Gulf women in non-traditional sectors such as technology, renewable energy, creative industries, and financial technology through specialised training and development programs. **media[381270]** The statement recommended activating the "Gulf Businesswomen's Platform," launched during the forum, to serve as a unified Gulf database for communication and the exchange of investment opportunities among businesswomen. It further recommended supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) led by Gulf women through joint financing and training initiatives. Assistant Secretary-General of the FGCCC, Noura al-Salem affirmed the Federation's commitment to following up on the implementation of the forum's outcomes and recommendations in coordination with relevant authorities in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries. This aims to support the Gulf women's entrepreneurship ecosystem and enhance its contribution to sustainable economic development. **media[381271]** The second day of the forum featured three working sessions and showcased further success stories of Gulf businesswomen and entrepreneurs. Board member of QC and Chairperson of the Qatari Businesswomen's Forum, Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani and several heads of participating delegations were in attendance. The first session, "Gulf Businesswomen and Sustainable Investment," explored the contribution of Gulf businesswomen to the knowledge economy, the challenges facing non-traditional investments, and the role of modern technologies in developing women's projects. The second session, "Women Entrepreneurs in the Gulf: From Tradition to Innovation," discussed the role of education and training in empowering Gulf women to engage in modern investments, the future of investments for businesswomen in the Gulf within the framework of Vision 2030, and the non-traditional sectors that have become a new destination for Gulf businesswomen. The third session, "Role of Arbitration in Enhancing the Gulf Women's Business Environment," addressed several topics, including the role of arbitration in protecting the investments of Gulf businesswomen, fair and transparent contracts as a guarantee for the success of Gulf businesswomen's investments, and resolving commercial disputes through arbitration.

Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa met Wednesday with His Excellency the Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim, speakers of the Legislative Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and Speaker of the Arab Parliament Mohammed bin Ahmed al-Yamahi. **media[381073]** The meeting took place ahead of the 19th periodic meeting of the speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National, and Ummah Councils of the GCC countries, scheduled to be held in Manama today. Discussions during the meeting dealt with ways to enhance co-operation and integration among the GCC countries in various fields, in addition to a number of issues of common interest, most notably prospects for developing joint GCC action to achieve the aspirations of the region's peoples.

The Shura Council will take part in the 19th periodic meeting of the leaders of Shura, Representatives, National and Ummah Councils of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, scheduled to be held today in Bahrain. **media[381069]** His Excellency Speaker of the Shura Council, Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim, chairs the Qatari delegation to the meeting. The meeting will address a range of parliamentary issues of common interest, including ways to strengthen co-operation among GCC legislative bodies and between these councils and the European Parliament, as well as other parliaments worldwide.

Qatar took part in the two-day Egypt-GCC Trade and Investment Forum, which concluded Monday in Cairo. The event, themed ‘A Roadmap to Strengthening Egyptian-Gulf Economic Cooperation’, brought together ministers, senior officials and business leaders from the Gulf Co-operation Council) countries and Egypt.Qatar was represented by Mohammed bin Hassan al-Malki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, accompanied by a delegation from the public and private sectors.The forum aimed to strengthen economic relations between Egypt and the GCC states by providing a platform to review the investment landscape and identify new opportunities for co-operation across various economic, commercial, and investment sectors.Participants also discussed recent developments and legislative frameworks that facilitate strategic partnerships between public and private sector investors, as well as challenges impacting investment flows between the two sides.The Egypt-GCC Trade and Investment Forum serves as a strategic platform for deepening economic partnerships and shaping the future of investment co-operation, in line with the development visions of Egypt and the GCC states.The forum concluded with several outcomes and recommendations, including the launch of partnership initiatives, the signing of memoranda of understanding between private sector entities, and proposals for new joint projects between Egypt and the GCC countries.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met in Kuwait with European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic.The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 9th GCC-EU Economic Forum. During the meeting, several economic and commercial topics were discussed, along with ways to enhance GCC-European relations in areas and priorities of common interest. Both sides affirmed their aspiration to strengthen relations and build numerous partnerships in various fields between the Cooperation Council and the EU.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met in London with Chair of the International Trade Committee in the United Kingdom Parliament Liam Byrne. At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary General underscored the important role played by legislative institutions in supporting the paths of economic and trade cooperation between nations. He praised the historical relations between the GCC and the UK and the continuous growth they are witnessing at various levels. They also reviewed the progress made in the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the GCC and the UK, aiming to reach a comprehensive agreement that serves mutual interests and allows for broader horizons of economic and investment integration, thereby enhancing the strategic partnership between the two sides.

GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Albudaiwi has welcomed the diplomatic efforts undertaken by Qatar and Turkiye to reach the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan which was signed in Doha.The GCC Secretary-General noted that this agreement represents a positive step towards consolidating stability and strengthening bridges of trust between the two countries.He affirmed the GCC’s support for all initiatives aimed at establishing peace and promoting dialogue in the region and beyond, contributing to a more stable and prosperous future for peoples.Saudi Arabia and Oman also welcomed the diplomatic efforts and constructive roles played by Qatar and Turkiye.The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s welcome for signing an immediate ceasefire and establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries.In a statement, the ministry affirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its constant commitment to ensuring security to achieve stability and prosperity for the Pakistani and Afghan peoples.Oman expressed its appreciation and gratitude for the roles of Qatar and Turkiye in reaching the agreement, expressing hope for its sustainability as well as to achieve a lasting and comprehensive peace between the two countries.Meanwhile, Kuwait welcomed the ceasefire agreement and expressed hope that this step will help end tensions and strengthen security and stability, in line with the aspirations of the peoples of both countries.In a statement issued Monday, Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the constructive efforts and tireless endeavours led by Qatar and Turkiye in hosting and sponsoring the negotiations that culminated in the agreement.The ministry stressed the importance of dialogue and adherence to diplomatic means to resolve disputes and enhance regional and international security.Official spokesman for the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fouad Majali praised the mediation efforts made by Qatar and Turkiye to reach this agreement, stressing Jordan’s support for all efforts to establish security and stability in the border areas between the two countries.Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said: “We welcome the agreement on a mutual ceasefire along the Afghan-Pakistani border, achieved between Kabul and Islamabad with the mediation of Qatari and Turkiye.”In a statement, she voiced Moscow’s call on Kabul and Islamabad to expand their co-operation, including in countering terrorism.In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun affirmed that his country welcomes the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan.He expressed China’s support for continued dialogue and consultations between Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their differences, achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, and work together to maintain peace and stability in both countries and the region.

Kuwait will host next Wednesday the first Gulf Red Crescent Conference on Artificial Intelligence, marking a pioneering step toward establishing a unified Gulf vision for leveraging AI in humanitarian work and regional cooperation. The two-day conference, held in collaboration with the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), will take place under the theme: "Towards New Horizons in Humanitarian Work and Development Media — Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence." The event also coincides with Gulf Red Crescent Day, observed annually on October 23, and will feature a distinguished lineup of experts and specialists from GCC countries and beyond, alongside representatives from international humanitarian organizations. The conference aims to explore the potential of AI in enhancing humanitarian and relief programs. It will include a series of main sessions addressing diverse topics, notably the use of AI in collecting and analyzing humanitarian data, early warning and rapid response systems, data challenges in humanitarian operations, as well as ethical and legal dimensions of applying these technologies in relief environments. Sessions will also examine the deployment of AI in relief work, showcase experiences from national Gulf associations in this field, and highlight initiatives that utilize these technologies in health, environmental, and social awareness campaigns. In addition, the conference will feature the launch of a Gulf digital initiative and host a Gulf workshop to train media personnel in humanitarian and relief work. The workshop will cover topics such as humanitarian reporting during crises, field coverage skills, and a training session on producing impactful digital humanitarian content and documentation.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that despite the major events that have affected the region and the world, the GCC states have established themselves as a fundamental pillar of regional and global security and stability, and as a distinguished model of integration and cooperation among their nations. These remarks were made during a discussion session hosted by the Institute of Arab Gulf States. The event took place on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at its headquarters in the US capital, Washington, in the presence of several ambassadors from GCC and Arab countries, as well as a number of senior officials and specialists. At the beginning of his participation, Albudaiwi expressed his appreciation to the Institute of Arab Gulf States for its role in enhancing the international community's understanding of the region's issues, and its support for developing specialised academic research on the Gulf and its international relations. During his talk, he highlighted the GCC's most prominent achievements in the political, economic, security, and military fields. He pointed out that the Council has unified its positions in international forums, strengthened its strategic partnerships with countries as well as regional and global organisations, and solidified its humanitarian and developmental role at the regional and global levels. Moreover, the Secretary General explained that the GCC states have made tangible steps in diversifying their economies and reducing their dependence on oil by implementing ambitious development visions and investing in renewable energy, technology, tourism, and logistics, in addition to strengthening their economic integration by activating the Gulf Common Market and facilitating the movement of goods, capital, and individuals. Regarding the GCC's vision for the next decade, Albudaiwi underscored that the priorities are to complete the requirements for the Customs Union and Monetary Union, move towards a unified Gulf economy, enhance joint security and defense aspects, lead efforts in energy transition and sustainable development, and empower youth and women as fundamental drivers for the future of their countries. Besides, he underlined the GCC's firm position in support of the Palestinian cause, its rejection of any infringement upon the rights of the Palestinian people, and its emphasis on the need to reach a just and comprehensive solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi concluded by emphasising that the GCC is entering a new era defined by integration and global leadership, based on a common vision and a firm political will led by the wise leadership of the GCC states, to achieve the aspirations of its peoples for greater security, prosperity, and well-being.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) welcomed the agreement reached regarding the Gaza Strip, which aims to implement the first step of US President Donald Trump's initiative to achieve a ceasefire and initiate a process leading to a comprehensive and lasting truce. Secretary General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi praised the significant efforts made by US President Donald Trump and the constructive support provided by the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Turkiye, to achieve this agreement through a diligent diplomatic path and continuous coordination. Albudaiw stressed that this step represents a new hope for alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza and paving the way to address the tragic conditions experienced by civilians, particularly concerning the provision of medical and food aid and ensuring the safe and sustainable flow of humanitarian support. GCC Secretary General underscored the necessity for this stage to be the beginning of a clear political path that leads to the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the restoration of security and stability, and the resumption of international efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive solution on the basis of the two-state solution. "This path must also enable the Palestinian people to realise their legitimate rights to establish their independent state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and United Nations resolutions," he concluded.

Qatar won three awards at the GCC e-Government Award 2025, held in the State of Kuwait Wednesday, in recognition of its distinguished government initiatives in digital transformation and smart service development. These awards reflect the country’s continuous progress in implementing pioneering digital projects.The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) was recognised with the Outstanding Project Award in the Best Government Competencies Building Initiative Award category for its initiative ‘Qatar Digital Academy’. The award recognises the ministry’s efforts in raising awareness of emerging technologies and empowering all segments of society to actively participate in Qatar’s national digital transformation initiatives.This achievement marks a milestone in the MCIT’s ongoing efforts to implement projects and programmes that promote digital culture and advance digital inclusion across Qatar, in alignment with the objectives of the Digital Agenda 2030 which aims to build an integrated digital society where individuals and institutions participate equally.The Ministry of Social Development and Family received the Outstanding Project Award in the Best Digital Inclusion Initiative Award category for its project “Sokoon” application to digitise Sign Language. Meanwhile, the National Planning Council earned the first place in the Open Data Initiative category for its project “Qatar Open Data Platform.”This achievement reaffirms Qatar’s leading position in digital government, driven by continuous investment in digital infrastructure, national talent, and regional collaboration in innovation and the digital economy. HE the Minister of Information and Communications Technology Mohammed bin Ali al-Mannai emphasised that Qatar’s winning of three awards at the Digital Government Award 2025 reflects the success of the national strategy for digital transformation and underscores the country’s pioneering role in advancing the GCC digital integration process.

Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Culture (MoC), took part Tuesday in the preparatory meeting of the General Cultural Committee of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), held under the chairmanship of Kuwait.This meeting is a precursor to the gathering of the undersecretaries of culture ministries in GCC member states, scheduled to convene ahead of the 29th session of GCC ministers of culture, set to take place tomorrow.The Qatar delegation to the preparatory meeting was led by the MoC’s director of the Department of Culture and Arts Abdulrahman Abdullah al-Dulaimi.The meeting featured a comprehensive review of the agenda, which included 14 items spanning various domains of culture, arts, and heritage, aimed at strengthening joint cultural co-operation.