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The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held an extraordinary session Monday in Doha, chaired by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.The session was attended by Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Personal Representative of King of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud; Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman Shihab bin Tarik bin Taimur Al Said; Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.The GCC Supreme Council discussed the repercussions of the Israeli aggression against the sisterly State of Qatar and the blatant violation of its sovereignty by Israeli occupation forces, which targeted residential facilities housing members of the negotiating delegation from the political bureau of Hamas. This occurred during the current round of negotiations and the mediation undertaken by Qatar to reach an agreement regarding Gaza. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of Badr Saad Mohammed Al Humaidi Al Dosari, a member of the security services, and caused civilian casualties.he attack also endangered the lives of civilians in a residential area crowded with schools, diplomatic missions, and kindergartens. This constitutes a flagrant assault on the efforts of the international community and its organisations aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages and detainees, and is a blatant violation of international law.Here is what they agreed upon: 1. The Supreme Council condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Qatar, affirming that this act of aggression represents a dangerous and unacceptable escalation, and a grave breach of the principles of international law and the Charter of the UN.2. The Supreme Council affirmed the complete solidarity of the GCC states with Qatar in all measures it takes to confront this aggression. It stressed that the security of the GCC states is indivisible, and that any attack on one of them is an attack on all, in accordance with the Basic Statute of the GCC and the Joint Defense Agreement, and the readiness of the member states to harness all capabilities to support the sisterly State of Qatar and protect its security, stability, and sovereignty against any threats.3. Proceeding from the principle emphasised by the Basic Statute of the GCC that the security of the Cooperation Council is indivisible, the leaders have directed the GCC Joint Defense Council to hold an urgent meeting in Doha, to be preceded by a meeting of the Higher Military Committee. The purpose is to assess the defense posture of the member states and the sources of threat in light of the Israeli aggression against the sisterly State of Qatar, and to direct the Unified Military Command to take the necessary executive measures to activate joint defense mechanisms and Gulf deterrence capabilities.4. The Supreme Council affirmed that the brutal Israeli aggression against the sisterly State of Qatar constitutes a direct threat to joint Gulf security and to regional peace and stability. The council believes that the continuation of these aggressive policies undermines efforts to achieve peace and the future of existing understandings and agreements with Israel, due to the serious repercussions this carries for the stability of the entire region.5. The Supreme Council warned that Israel's persistence in its criminal practices and its flagrant disregard for all international norms, laws, and the Charter of the UN, will lead to serious repercussions that threaten regional and international peace and security. The Supreme Council called on the Security Council, the international community, and influential nations to assume their full responsibilities and take firm and deterrent measures to stop these violations, which have undermined the prestige of international law and the authority of its institutions. The Supreme Council underscored that these actions represent a dangerous precedent that should not be overlooked or allowed to pass without the imposition of deterrent international sanctions.6. The Supreme Council stressed the necessity for the international community to fulfill its moral and legal responsibilities and to act urgently to deter Israel and put an end to its repeated violations of international law and international humanitarian law, which constitute a direct threat to the security of the region and to international peace and stability. It called on all countries and international organisations to condemn this sinful aggression and to take deterrent measures that ensure respect for the sovereignty of Qatar and the protection of civilians, both citizens and residents.7. The Supreme Council commended the efforts made by the security authorities, the Civil Defense, and the competent agencies in Qatar for their immediate handling of the incident, containing its repercussions, and safeguarding the safety of citizens and residents.8. The Supreme Council affirmed that this attack obstructs the tireless efforts undertaken by Qatar and its role in mediating a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of hostages and detainees, and the alleviation of the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people. It underlined that the repeated Israeli aggressions against several countries in the region constitute a serious obstacle to international and regional efforts aimed at establishing security, peace, and stability.9. The Supreme Council stressed the necessity of adhering to the foundations and principles stipulated in the Charter of the UN, international treaties and agreements, the principles of good neighbourliness, respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, resolving disputes by peaceful means, and refraining from the use or threat of force.10. The leaders expressed their thanks and appreciation to the brotherly Arab and Islamic nations, and to friendly countries in the international community, which were quick to condemn the brutal Israeli aggression and declare their solidarity with Qatar. They affirmed that these positions reflect a collective commitment to rejecting the violation of states' sovereignty and to supporting efforts aimed at protecting regional and international security and stability.11. The Supreme Council called upon the peace-loving nations of the world to condemn the brutal Israeli aggression against Qatar and its attempts to obstruct international efforts and diplomatic solutions aimed at stopping Israeli attacks and the crimes of genocide it practices in the Gaza Strip. These crimes, the Supreme Council underscored, include systematic policies of displacing and starving the population, disrupting the work of international relief and humanitarian organisations operating in the Gaza Strip, and killing journalists, medical and ambulance crews, rescue teams, and humanitarian workers. The Supreme Council stated that this requires the consolidation of all international efforts to deter these criminal acts.

Doha will next month host the seventh Gulf Businesswomen Forum, organised by the Federation of the Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers (FGCCC), in association with the Qatar Chamber and supported by the GCC General Secretariat.The forum, to be held under the theme “Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Investment”, will take place from November 12 to 13, 2025, at the Mandarin Oriental – Msheireb, Doha.It aims to promote entrepreneurship and sustainable investment among female business owners in GCC countries by showcasing mechanisms that support their participation in sustainable investment.The forum also seeks to explore ways of transitioning from traditional models to more innovative, digital-based approaches, in line with the Gulf region’s broader shift towards a knowledge economy.Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani, a board member of Qatar Chamber, said the forum aims to economically empower Gulf women and strengthen their contribution to economic development across the GCC countries.She underscored the chamber’s commitment to organising this important forum, given the vital role businesswomen play in driving the Gulf economy, improving the business environment, and broadening horizons for investment and entrepreneurship—aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the sustainable development strategies of the GCC countries.The forum serves as a valuable platform for Gulf businesswomen to exchange experiences and expertise, explore new opportunities for cooperation and partnership, and address the key challenges and prospects within various economic sectors.It also highlights inspiring success stories of female entrepreneurs and the main obstacles they encounter.Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi, secretary-general of the FGCCC, said the forum is being held at a significant time, amid a growing regional focus on empowering women and enhancing their role in leading entrepreneurial and investment ventures across the GCC countries.He reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to enhancing the economic role of women, stressing its firm belief that investing in Gulf women is an investment in a sustainable future and a diversified, competitive economy.

Qatar Charity (QC) was honoured in a ceremony accompanying the ministerial meetings of the ministers and heads of Civil Service, Labour, and Social Affairs Agencies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which took place in Kuwait. The honourary shield was received by QC CEO Yousuf bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, in the presence of several high-level dignitaries, including Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Shaikh Fahad Yusuf Saud al-Sabah, and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. Present also in the event were Qatar's Minister of Labour HE Dr Ali bin Samikh al-Marri, HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Nuaimi, and HE the President of the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, along with other guests. QC was recognised as one of Qatar’s leading civil society organisations in the social and humanitarian sectors. The honour highlights its outstanding efforts in the fields of charitable and social work, as well as its tangible positive impact both locally and internationally. The honour also underscores QC's deep-rooted commitment to fulfilling its humanitarian responsibilities and achieving the goals of sustainable development. QC was also honoured in May with the GCC Housing Award for the 2024–2025 cycle, in the category of private sector and charitable organisations, during the 23rd GCC Housing Ministers Meeting in Kuwait.

The General Authority of Customs (GAC) announced that HE Chairman of the Authority Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Jamal has been selected as Chairman of the Executive Council of the Customs Union Authority of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.In a statement, the authority stated that the Chairman of the General Authority of Customs was selected during the 14th meeting of the Executive Council of the Customs Union Authority, held in Kuwait.The election of the Chairman of the Council is based on the Union's bylaws that stipulate that the Chairman of the Executive Council be selected from among the representatives of the member states for a two-year renewable term.The GCC Customs Union Authority was established on June 1, 2012, pursuant to a decision taken by 32nd session of the GCC Supreme Council, held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in December 2011.It aims to oversee the implementation of the Customs Union Authority, facilitate the movement of goods between member states, and establish the GCC as a single market for the outside world.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) urged the international community on Wednesday to take immediate and deterrent measures to halt the inflammatory calls and dangerous practices of the Israeli occupation forces aimed at deepening settlement activity and annexing the occupied West Bank.In a statement, Secretary General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said that these inflammatory calls, made by a minister in the government of the Israeli occupation forces, confirm the occupation's continuous and systematic approach of destabilising security and stability in the region, reflecting its insistence on undermining peace opportunities and its blatant defiance of international conventions, as well as its continued violation of all laws and norms.He affirmed the GCC's support for the brotherly Palestinian people in confronting these aggressive statements and practices, and in backing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, first and foremost the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.​