Doha: HE Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, chaired the 41st meeting of Their Highnesses and Excellencies, the GCC Ministers of Interior, which was held in Doha, on Wednesday. In his opening remarks, HE the Minister of Interior welcomed Their Highnesses and Excellencies, the GCC Ministers of Interior and conveyed to them the greetings of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and His Highness’s wishes for the success of the meeting.
According to Qatar News Agency, His Excellency expressed his utmost thanks and appreciation to Their Highnesses and Excellencies, the Ministers of Interior, recognizing the cooperation shown throughout his presidency of this session. This collaboration underscored the spirit of Gulf action and the shared responsibility they shoulder, along with their aspiration to achieve security and stability for the GCC states and their peoples. He commended the unwavering efforts of the Undersecreta
ries of the Ministries of Interior in their preparatory meeting for the 41st ministerial meeting.
Their Highnesses and Excellencies, the Ministers of Interior, expressed their gratitude to the State of Qatar, its leadership, government, and people for the warm reception, generous hospitality, and excellent organization of the meeting. This, they noted, demonstrated the spirit of security cooperation and joint coordination among GCC member states.
HRH Minister of Interior of Saudi Arabia, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, addressed the session, highlighting the myriad challenges faced by security apparatuses in the GCC states. These challenges include emerging crimes, the evolution of narcotics trafficking methods, organized crimes, and arms smuggling. He emphasized the need for stepped-up joint efforts and capacity building to bolster Gulf security cooperation in overcoming these challenges.
HE Minister of Interior of Bahrain, Lt Gen. Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, pointed
out the lessons learned from recent incidents in the Middle East. He stressed the importance of reviewing security challenges and taking anticipatory actions to prevent unanticipated surprises, expressing hope for further success in the journey of joint Gulf action.
HE First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior of Kuwait, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, remarked that the meeting comes amidst unprecedented regional and global developments. He called for coordinated efforts to combat terrorism, extremism, organized crime, and narcotics, enhancing the region’s security.
HE Secretary-General of the GCC, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, affirmed that the meeting complements ongoing fraternal meetings between GCC Ministers of Interior. He expressed sincere thanks for Qatar’s efforts in preparing and convening the meeting, reflecting a spirit of collaboration in pursuit of enhanced joint security action among GCC states.
His Excellency added that since the inception of the GCC system in
1981, Their Majesties and Highnesses have demonstrated strategic prudence in fostering joint security action as a core pillar for regional security and stability. He emphasized that the security challenges facing the region have no borders or identity, highlighting joint GCC cooperation as the ideal way to mitigate risks and ensure a secure future for their peoples.
His Excellency concluded by noting that this trajectory has led to significant Gulf security achievements over the past four decades, positioning the GCC states as a regional and global role model in joint security action. The joint Gulf message to the world is clear: Gulf security is non-negotiable, and ensuring the security of Gulf states is a collective duty and shared destiny.