Gulf countries, societies are united in facing dangers of diluting national identities: Al Misnad

DOHA: Qatar chaired the 10th meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Social Affairs and Development of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Held on Wednesday, the meeting was chaired by Minister of Social Development and Family HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, the chairperson of the current session of the meeting, with the participation ofthe GCC ministers and HE GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

During her speech at the meeting,Al Misnad said that this meeting is of great importance as it carries the aspirations and hopes of the GCC peoples for social development in accordance with a comprehensive vision for a Gulf society united behind its identity and its sustainable moral and value-based legacy. She considered the adoption of the GCC Social Development Strategy (2021-2025) a big step and a broad leap within the joint efforts to achieve comprehensive social development for the people of the region and to implement innovative initiatives.

Stressing the importance of considering the issue of adopting policies that support the cohesion and stability of the Gulf society and enhance the spirit of citizenship and Arab and Islamic identity as well as cooperation between Gulf brothers to deepen cooperation and joint work, she said that the family was and still is the true wealth of the nations, pointing to the identity and the uniqueness of the Gulf, Arab and Islamic history, which is rich in the ethics of human advancement, tolerance and integration. Today Gulf countries and societies are united in facing the dangers of diluting national identities, including the identity of the family, she added.

Highlighting the great importance attached byQatar to supporting pioneering community projects within social protection policies, including empowering productive families and enhancing community awareness of the concepts of family cohesion and building families based on Islam, justice and benevolence, she stressed that Qatar will continue to support these social development projects at the national, regional and international levels and express its welcome to the recommendations concerned with building development partnerships between various sectors in which social and technical innovation is employed to advance the societies of the GCC countries.

In her speech, the minister pointed out that Qatar supports Gulf brothers and stands together with them to achieve more cooperation, in addition to implementing the committee's decision taken at the previous meeting on the joint Gulf action strategy for women's affairs in the GCC countries (2024-2030) and following up on what has been achieved in this regard to enhance the role of motherhood in society and achieve harmony between the roles of men and women and enhance the concept of partnership and integration of roles between men and women within the family and marriage to strengthen the bonds and ties within the system of the Gulf families.

In the same context, sheaffirmed Qatar's determination to continue its efforts to complete the implementation of social development strategies and plans in the Gulf Cooperation Council, noting the hosting of the International Family Conference to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family during the period from October 29 to 31, 2014.

She pointed out that Qatar will host the 7th Gulf Theatre Festival for Persons with Disabilities from November 27 to December 3, where the Ministry of Social Development and Family will host the festival participants and provide all the requirements to ensure the proper organization of the festival and the success of its activities, appreciating the valuable efforts made by the Sultanate of Oman during its effective presidency of the ministerial meetings during the past year, which was an example to be followed in enhancing cooperation and integration between the GCC countries, while looking forward to continuing to work with the same spirit to achieve the goals.

In turn, HE Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi expressed his sincere gratitude to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, as well as to Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC countries, for the support and generous patronage of joint Gulf work and development in all fields, including social development.

He noted that the valuable and fruitful efforts of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Social Affairs and Development of the GCC member states, under the guidance of Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC countries, have significantly contributed to enhancing the achievements of joint GCC work with regards to social development. He highlighted the progress made in women's affairs in the Gulf, including their empowerment and crucial role in economic development programs, as well as their active participation in joint GCC work.

He pointed out that women's economic participation rate in GCC countries has risen to 43.2 percent, with women holding 49 percent of senior government positions and 30.9 percent of top administrative roles (legislators and managers) in the private sector.

Furthermore, he added that women’s employment in the government sector stands at 43.4 percent, while in the private sector at 38.2 percent. He said that these figures reflect GCC leaders' significant support for GCC women, and enhance their regional and global standing.

The GCC Secretary-General stressed the leaders of the GCC states' commitment to supporting joint charitable work and improving related services. He highlighted that GCC countries contribute $210 billion annually to charitable causes worldwide, which is a source of pride for all Gulf citizens.

During the meeting, the Ministers of Social Affairs and Development of GCC member states discussed several topics of shared interest, including the GCC social development strategy and its initiatives, the GCC Strategy for Joint Charitable and Humanitarian Work (2025-2030), the GCC Strategy for Joint Gulf Work for Women's Affairs (2025-2030), along with the 7th Gulf Theatre Festival for Persons with Disability, to take place in Doha in December, in addition to the 3rd report on the implementation and monitoring of the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities in the GCC, and the Secretariat General's efforts to strengthen relations with regional and international organizations concerned with social issues.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Ministry of Social Development and Family signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kuwait's Ministry of Social Affairs to enhance and strengthen their fraternal relations and achieve mutual goals regarding social affairs.

Furthermore, the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kuwait's Ministry of Social Affairs to promote cooperation in the development, support, and encouragement of charitable and humanitarian work, as well as regulating and supervising these activities in both countries.

The Ministry of Social Development and Family signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. This agreement aims to enhance constructive cooperation in social development areas, particularly with regard to family affairs and social services, stemming from their conviction in the need for fruitful bilateral cooperation.