Albudaiwi Stresses GCC Commitment to Combating All Forms of Human Trafficking

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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Albudaiwi Stresses GCC Commitment to Combating All Forms of Human Trafficking

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Albudaiwi stressed that the Governmental Forum to Combat Human Trafficking in the Middle East has received regional and international acclaim for the efforts of GCC countries.

He noted that since its inception, the forum has contributed to shaping a unified GCC vision to address human trafficking, tailored to the region’s unique economic and geographic characteristics, as well as the evolving challenges of this crime, particularly with the use of modern technologies and transnational organized crime networks, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

Albudaiwi made his remarks during his speech at the opening of the sixth Governmental Forum to Combat Human Trafficking in the Middle East for 2025, held in Kuwait. The forum was attended by Minister of Justice of Kuwait Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait, along with several ministers and senior representatives from member states, as well as delegates from the GCC Secretariat, the Arab League, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the US Department of State.

Albudaiwi highlighted the adoption of national laws that criminalize human trafficking and establish clear mechanisms for victim protection and offender prosecution. These efforts include the formation of national committees and agencies, establishment of shelters, hotlines, and national referral systems for potential victims, as well as specialized training for security and judicial personnel.

He also cited regulatory reforms in labor markets through updated labor legislation and expanded regional and international cooperation with organizations such as UNODC, the International Organization for Migration, and the International Labor Organization to implement joint preventive and awareness programs.

Albudaiwi concluded and called for united efforts among countries to address shared challenges, enhance coordination, and sustain collective action, mainly in combating transnational crimes and protecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and migrants.

He reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast and ongoing commitment to combating human trafficking in all its forms, advancing legislative and regulatory frameworks, and enhancing regional and international cooperation to ensure victim protection, offender accountability, and the promotion of justice and human rights.



Al-Jubeir Stresses Saudi Support to Syria as Shaibani Warns of Attempts to Stoke Strife

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir at the Baghdad summit on Saturday.
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir at the Baghdad summit on Saturday.
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Al-Jubeir Stresses Saudi Support to Syria as Shaibani Warns of Attempts to Stoke Strife

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir at the Baghdad summit on Saturday.
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir at the Baghdad summit on Saturday.

Syria and Lebanon’s speeches at the Arab League Summit in Baghdad on Saturday reflected the extent of the dramatic changes in their country after the collapse of the Assad regime and the election of a new president in Lebanon, but challenges remain.

Addressing the summit, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani warned against attempts to stoke strife in his country, adding that “ISIS gangs continue to violate Syria’s sovereignty and internal security.”

“Some sides want to fragment Syria and we call on Arabs to protect its unity and reject division,” he urged.

“Syria is being violated repeatedly by Israel, threatening to spark war in the south and undermining regional stability,” he said.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani attends the 34th Arab League summit in Baghdad on May 17, 2025. (AFP)

Moreover, he declared that Syria rejects hegemony over it and “will not be an arena for the conflicts of others.”

He acknowledged that Syria still faces “grave challenges and disputes over interests.”

Shaibani also hailed “every step that helps breaks Syria’s isolation and lifts sanctions off it.”

“The Syrian people are committed to their Arab identity. Syria belongs to all Syrians,” he added, revealing that his country was working on drafting a new constitution that consolidates the rule of law and the unity of Syrian territories.

It was also placing the finishing touches on parliamentary elections that represent all Syrians, the FM stated.

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir underscored the Kingdom’s support for the Syrian government in confronting security challenges.

He praised US President Donald Trump’s decision this week to lift sanctions off Syria.

“This is a great opportunity for Syria’s recovery and to support its development,” he told the summit.

Trump made the announcement during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam shakes hands with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein ahead of the 34th Arab League summit in Baghdad, Iraq, May 16, 2025. (Reuters)

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his country has opened a new chapter in its history based on reform in all fields.

“We want to impose the sovereignty of the Lebanese state throughout all of its territories and assert that the state is the party that controls the decision of war and peace,” he added.

During a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the summit, he expressed Lebanon’s “categorical rejection of Israeli violations against the country, urging an immediate halt to the attacks.”

He reiterated his government’s commitment to full cooperation with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in preserving security and stability along the Blue Line border with Israel.

He noted however, that Israel’s continued occupation of some Lebanese territories is a flagrant violation of international resolutions.