Kuwait Ex-Finance Minister Recommended as New GCC Chief

Kuwait's former Minister of Finance Nayef al-Hajraf (KUNA)
Kuwait's former Minister of Finance Nayef al-Hajraf (KUNA)
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Kuwait Ex-Finance Minister Recommended as New GCC Chief

Kuwait's former Minister of Finance Nayef al-Hajraf (KUNA)
Kuwait's former Minister of Finance Nayef al-Hajraf (KUNA)

The Gulf ministerial council is expected to recommend the candidacy of Kuwait’s former Finance Minister Nayef al-Hajraf's for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General after it has been unanimously approved at talks ahead of the leaders' summit in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah explained that the recommendation will be forwarded to the summit.

Hajraf has been nominated to succeed Abdul Latif bin Rashid al-Zayani, whose term expires next year.

He will be the second Kuwaiti to assume the position since the formation of the council in 1981.

Hajraf holds a PhD in Accounting and Finance from the University of Hull, UK, a Master’s in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor's degree in accounting from Kuwait University.

He was a Vice President of Gulf University for Science and Technology for Academic Services. He also served as Kuwait’s chief regulator of marketable securities in his capacity as the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and Managing Director of the Kuwait Capital Markets Authority (CMA) from 2014 to 2017.

He served as Minister of Finance for a brief period in 2012 and Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education from 2012 to 2014.

He was also a member of the First Board of Commissioners of the Capital Markets Authority in 2010 and a member of the Supreme Petroleum Council.

The GCC was established on May 25, 1981, during a meeting of Gulf leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait’s Abdullah Yacoub Bishara became the first Secretary-General of the GCC, a position he held for 11 years. He was succeeded in 1993 by Fahim bin Sultan al-Qasimi, from the United Arab Emirates, who held the position until 1996.

In 1996, Jamil Ibrahim al-Hejailan, of Saudi Arabia, assumed the position and stayed until 2002. He was succeeded by Qatar’s Abdul Rahman bin Hamad al-Attiyah, who served between 2002 and 2011.

Bahrain’s Zayani assumed his position in 2011.



Saudi Defense Minister Attends Elite Special Forces Exercise in Northwestern Region

The Saudi Minister of Defense witnessed an exercise by the Elite Special Forces (ESF) in the Northwestern Region. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense witnessed an exercise by the Elite Special Forces (ESF) in the Northwestern Region. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister Attends Elite Special Forces Exercise in Northwestern Region

The Saudi Minister of Defense witnessed an exercise by the Elite Special Forces (ESF) in the Northwestern Region. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Defense witnessed an exercise by the Elite Special Forces (ESF) in the Northwestern Region. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has witnessed an exercise by the Elite Special Forces (ESF) in the Northwestern Region.
Thursday’s exercise commenced with the Royal Anthem upon the minister’s arrival. The director of the Joint Special Operations Center then briefed Prince Khalid on the center’s roles and responsibilities.
A key highlight of the event was a visual presentation showcasing the ESF's advanced technical and organizational capabilities, which embody the ministry’s vision to develop highly prepared specialized forces.
Prince Khalid reviewed the scenario of the exercise, which built upon previous drills and focused on the operational deployment of ESF personnel in diverse environments for specialized missions.
The minister observed the live implementation of the exercise from its main platform. Following the exercise, a commemorative photograph was taken, and the minister addressed the participants.
The event concluded with the minister honoring the ESF participants and receiving a commemorative gift.