Riyadh Hosts 42nd GCC Summit to Face Challenges, Seize Opportunities

Leaders and heads of delegations of Gulf countries in a memorial photo before the launch of the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit (AlUla), which was held at the beginning of 2021 (SPA)
Leaders and heads of delegations of Gulf countries in a memorial photo before the launch of the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit (AlUla), which was held at the beginning of 2021 (SPA)
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Riyadh Hosts 42nd GCC Summit to Face Challenges, Seize Opportunities

Leaders and heads of delegations of Gulf countries in a memorial photo before the launch of the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit (AlUla), which was held at the beginning of 2021 (SPA)
Leaders and heads of delegations of Gulf countries in a memorial photo before the launch of the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit (AlUla), which was held at the beginning of 2021 (SPA)

Riyadh is set to host the 42nd Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit on Tuesday, with leaders from the six member states geared up to explore ways to boost cooperation and confront challenges.

Besides focusing on the outcomes of the AlUla Summit, the GCC conference will center around the full implementation of the vision set out by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and ratified by the GCC Supreme Council in 2015.

Accordingly, the summit will center around completing elements of economic integration and joint defense and security systems and developing a unified foreign policy among member states.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will head the Saudi delegation to the summit. The Bahraini delegation will be headed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The Qatari delegation will be headed by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

On behalf of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sheikh Fahd bin Mahmood Al Said will head the Sultanate of Oman’s delegation at the summit. UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will lead the UAE delegation.

Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will head the Kuwaiti delegation to the summit.

The summit is being held at a sensitive time during which the region is facing many challenges, according to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Despite the hardships, the top Saudi diplomat stressed that there are many opportunities present at the same time.

The foreign minister’s statement came at the end of a press conference in Riyadh after a meeting of the foreign ministers of the GCC countries in the presence of their Egyptian counterpart.

He affirmed that the leaders would discuss sensitive issues relating to regional security.

GCC Secretary-General Nayef al-Hajraf told reporters on Sunday that there are continuing consultations to enhance the stability of the region and the world.



Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Pakistan's Army Chief with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has decorated Chief of the Pakistani Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, honoring his distinguished efforts to strengthen the strategic relationship and cooperation between the two nations.

The ceremony took place in Riyadh on Sunday upon the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prince Khalid congratulated Field Marshal Munir on his appointment as Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces, wishing him continued success in his new role.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the historical Saudi-Pakistani relations and the strategic cooperation in defense, discussing efforts to establish the foundations of international peace and security, as well as issues of common interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Safadi Discuss Latest Developments

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Riyadh on Sunday with the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Riyadh on Sunday with the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. SPA
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Faisal bin Farhan, Safadi Discuss Latest Developments

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Riyadh on Sunday with the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Riyadh on Sunday with the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh on Sunday with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi.

During the meeting, they reviewed the fraternal and historical relations between the two countries and opportunities to enhance cooperation in various fields.

They also discussed the latest developments in the region and the world.


OIC Condemns Israel’s Targeting of School for Displaced Persons in Gaza City

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Israel’s Targeting of School for Displaced Persons in Gaza City

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned on Sunday the continued crimes committed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, most recently the shelling of a school sheltering displaced persons.

Seven Palestinians were killed and dozens of civilians were injured in the attack, which the OIC slammed as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law”.

The OIC renewed its call on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, “to assume its responsibilities by putting an end to all Israeli crimes and violations, securing a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, ensuring sufficient and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and guaranteeing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”

It further emphasized “the need to activate international criminal justice mechanisms to pursue and hold accountable all Israeli officials involved in committing these grave crimes and to ensure that they do not evade punishment.”