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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has welcomed the signing of the Doha Framework for the Peace Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Congo River Alliance (M23 Movement).GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi praised the significant and valuable efforts exerted by the State of Qatar in hosting and supporting the negotiation process, noting that Qatar's active contribution to achieving this important step underscores its firm commitment to promoting regional and international security and resolving conflicts through peaceful means.Albudaiwi expressed hope that the agreement would pave the way for achieving comprehensive reconciliation and establishing lasting stability and development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Global Carbon Council (GCC), recognised as the Global South’s first internationally accredited carbon market programme under ICAO’s Corsia scheme, and the State Secretariat for Climate Change of the Province of Misiones, Argentina, formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday during COP30 in Belem, Brazil.The agreement was signed by Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of GCC, and Gervasio Malagrida, secretary, Department of Climate Change, Misiones, Argentina.The MoU establishes a framework for co-operation to promote the development and implementation of carbon market initiatives in Misiones Province.Key areas of collaboration are: Capacity-building workshops and training programmes on GCC standards, project registration, issuance processes, and methodology development; support for integrating GCC standards and methodologies into the domestic carbon market of Misiones; advisory support for finalising the provincial Carbon Policy Framework, aligned with Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement and other mutually agreed activities to strengthen climate action and carbon market infrastructure.Dr Alhorr said: “This MoU represents a significant step forward in advancing high-integrity carbon markets in the Global South. By partnering with Misiones, GCC aims to bring technical expertise, global best practices, and innovative methodologies to support sustainable development and climate action at the provincial level. Together, we will strengthen carbon market infrastructure, empower local stakeholders, and demonstrate how transparent and scalable carbon solutions can deliver measurable environmental and socio-economic benefits.”“This partnership with GCC provides Misiones with a unique opportunity to align our carbon policy and market initiatives with international standards. The technical guidance, capacity-building programs, and digital tools provided by GCC will enable us to implement high-quality carbon projects, strengthen institutional capabilities, and attract climate finance. We are confident that this collaboration will accelerate our climate action agenda, support sustainable energy and land-use solutions, and position Misiones as a leader in carbon market innovation within Argentina and the region,” added Malagrida.This collaboration reinforces both parties’ dedication to building robust carbon market infrastructure, supporting sustainable development, and fostering regional and international co-operation under the Paris Agreement.

His Excellency Speaker of the Shura Council, Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim affirmed the belief of the State of Qatar under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, that Gulf unity constitutes a fundamental pillar for preserving the region's security and stability and for strengthening cooperation to achieve prosperity for its peoples. Addressing the 19th meeting of the Speakers of the Shura, Representatives, National, and Ummah Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries, held today in the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency emphasized that the deep-rooted fraternal ties uniting the GCC countries transcend geographical boundaries and immediate interests. These ties are rooted in profound historical, cultural, and social relations, making a shared destiny and common interest a reality, not merely a slogan. He stressed that the Gulf legislative councils, through their regular meetings and ongoing coordination, have proven themselves to be a powerful voice for this Gulf unity, in addition to their unwavering support for unified Gulf policies and positions on various regional and international issues. His Excellency noted that the continued convening of GCC meetings reflects a shared understanding of the importance of parliamentary coordination and the necessity of unifying positions on major issues affecting the security and stability of the region and the world. He emphasized that the increasing political, economic, and security challenges make joint parliamentary action a necessity, not an option, and amplify the responsibility to defend the interests of the GCC states and their people, and to solidify the image of unified Gulf cooperation in various international forums. In his address, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council touched on the Doha Declaration issued by the Second World Summit for Social Development, hosted by the State of Qatar in November of this year. He highlighted its international call for achieving more equitable and sustainable development based on eradicating poverty and promoting social justice. He stressed that achieving these goals requires an active role for legislative councils in supporting policies that promote human development and monitoring the implementation of international commitments, thus embodying a genuine partnership between parliaments and governments in serving humanity and enhancing its well-being. On the regional front, His Excellency stressed that Gulf security is indivisible, and that the security of any member state is the security of all. He then addressed the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip, reaffirming the principled and unwavering stance of supporting the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people and condemning the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against innocent civilians, which constitute a flagrant violation of all humanitarian and international laws and norms. In this context, His Excellency commended the honorable positions of the GCC states in supporting the Palestinian cause and standing with the Palestinian people in Gaza. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the fraternal solidarity shown by the GCC member states towards the State of Qatar following the Israeli aggression against its territory, as this solidarity embodies the depth of Gulf unity and the shared position and destiny. HE the Speaker of the Shura Council also emphasized the current need to activate the tools of Gulf parliamentary diplomacy and strengthen dialogue and coordination with Arab and Islamic legislative councils to formulate a unified vision that reflects collective positions and supports the goals of the GCC states in achieving security, stability, and sustainable development. He considered that the strength of the Gulf position in international forums stems from unity and the ability to present a consistent message that reflects the aspirations of the people and defends shared values. His Excellency began his address by expressing his sincere thanks and appreciation to the House of Representatives of the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain for its generous hospitality and excellent organization, wishing it success in presiding over the current session and in achieving the aspirations of the legislative councils to enhance joint Gulf cooperation. His Excellency Speaker Al Ghanim, extended thanks and appreciation to the sisterly United Arab Amirates, represented by the Federal National Council, for the remarkable efforts it made during its presidency of the previous session, and for the qualitative initiatives it achieved that contributed to strengthening Gulf parliamentary work and unifying positions in regional and international forums. At the same time, he praised the efforts of the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf for its diligent work in supporting the joint Gulf action and developing mechanisms of cooperation between the Council's institutions.

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.