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Saudi Arabia to Host Pre-pandemic Numbers for 2023 Hajj 

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah. (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah. (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Pre-pandemic Numbers for 2023 Hajj 

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah. (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah. (Ministry of Hajj and Umrah)

Saudi Arabia will host a number of pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj season similar to what it took in prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah. 

Riyadh will impose no restrictions, including age limits, for this Haj season, he added. 

In 2019, the last year before the pandemic struck, some 2.6 million people performed the hajj. The Kingdom allowed only limited numbers from its residents in 2020 and 2021 before it welcomed back one million foreign pilgrims in 2022. 

Hajj season is expected to begin on June 26 in 2023. 

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Gulf

GCC, Council of Europe Discuss Enhancing Strategic Partnership

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
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GCC, Council of Europe Discuss Enhancing Strategic Partnership

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met on Wednesday with Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Albudaiwi and Berset explored ways to enhance the Gulf-European strategic partnership to advance mutual interests.

They also discussed the Joint Action Program 2022-2027 between the GCC and the EU, which outlines effective mechanisms and proposals for collaboration across various sectors, including political, security, and economic areas.

AlBudaiwi also met Wednesday with South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-Kyu in Davos.

They discussed several topics, most notably the developments related to the free-trade agreement between the GCC countries and South Korea, and ways to enhance Gulf-South Korean partnerships in various vital sectors that contribute to creating new opportunities for constructive cooperation.

The meeting also addressed enhancing strategic dialogue with South Korea through the fields of cooperation outlined in the joint action plan between the GCC and South Korea.