New GCC Secretary-General Stresses Gulf System Cohesion

The new Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf, has vowed to maintain the Council’s path and to translate the GCC leaders’ directives on the ground to achieve further progress and prosperity.

During a handover ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday, Hajraf expressed his gratitude to the GCC leaders for their confidence, stressing that he looked forward to contributing to further Gulf cohesion.

“We have all what’s needed to maintain our strength… and all the factors to complete our march… The people of the Gulf and the future generations have the right to maintain this march for hundreds of years to come... and the leaders to safeguard it with their vision and wisdom,” he stated.

“The GCC is a gift from its leaders, the founders,” Hajraf said, voicing his appreciation to the great efforts of his predecessor, Dr. Abdullatif al-Zayani.

Earlier this month, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa decreed that Zayani would be appointed as Bahrain’s foreign minister when his term at the GCC ends.

Speaking at the ceremony, the outgoing secretary-general said that the GCC system has maintained its security, stability, and cohesion and boosted its regional and international status.

He noted that the region has witnessed, over the last nine years, successive developments, including wars, conflicts, and challenges on all levels, leaving major human and financial losses and millions of refugees and migrants.

“Despite all these challenges, the GCC system has managed to achieve many of its common goals and integrated projects,” Zayani remarked.

He also expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s continuous support during his term at the GCC general secretariat.