Latest news with #JassemAl-Budaiwi
Kuwait Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
GCC demands immediate international action to end Israel's blockade of Gaza
GAZA: A Palestinian boy makes his way to receive a portion of hot food distributed by a charity kitchen at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on July 15, 2025. - AFP RIYADH: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi strongly condemned on Monday the ongoing inhumane and illegal blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation forces on Gaza, and the prevention of humanitarian aid from entering the territory. In an official statement, Al-Budaiwi described the siege and its resulting humanitarian catastrophe - characterized by the spread of starvation and the depletion of food and medical supplies - as a violation of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and fundamental human rights principles. He emphasized that the blockade constitutes a direct challenge to the international community and affirmed that the GCC holds the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, including what he described as a deliberate policy of collective starvation - a practice that constitutes a war crime requiring urgent international accountability. Al-Budaiwi urged the international community, including all governments, institutions, and organizations, to take immediate and serious action to end the brutal blockade, halt the killing and starvation, ensure the swift entry of humanitarian aid, reopen border crossings without delay, and save the lives of innocent civilians from a looming catastrophe. He reiterated the GCC's firm position in support of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights - the right to a dignified life, freedom, self-determination, and the achievement of a just and lasting peace in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. - KUNA
Time Out Dubai
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
GCC Unified Tourist Visa launching in 2025: Everything you need to know
The unified GCC tourism visa is coming soon, according to the latest update. The GCC Unified Tourist Visa, which will officially be named 'GCC Grand Tours', will allow freedom of movement between residents in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Countries included in the system are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. On Wednesday July 2, a statement by the GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi stated that the new visa will arrive soon, and expressed gratitude to all the efforts being made to help the project become a reality. Visa-free travel is already available for citizens of GCC countries across the region but the GCC Grand Tours Visa will enable the millions of foreign nationals living in the region to travel freely. It will simplify the process of getting visas and will likely have a longer validity period and lower overall costs compared to obtaining six separate visas. Plans for the new GCC Unified Tourist Visa were officially approved late in 2023 following a unanimous vote by ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council at a meeting in Oman. While an official launch date has not been confirmed, it is expected that the visa will be introduced by the end of 2025. The visa is aimed at encouraging tourism within the region and growing each nation's tourist economy. When can we get a GCC Unified Tourist Visa? In February 2025, a meeting of the ministers responsible for tourism in GCC countries discussed implementing the visa in the coming period. At the time, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and the Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, said: 'The meeting represents an important step to enhance joint efforts to activate the unified Gulf tourist visa in the coming period, as it will contribute to achieving a qualitative shift in the Gulf tourism sector by highlighting the diverse tourism components of the GCC countries, and attracting tourists and encouraging long stays.' For now, UAE residents have different conditions for travelling within the GCC, so the introduction of the new GCC Unified Tourist Visa will allow for more consistency. It's expected to greatly streamline the process when travelling in different nations. Applicants will likely be able to choose between one-country or six-country access and the validity period of the visa may be between 30 and 90 days. Current rules for intra-regional GCC travel from the UAE UAE citizens do not need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia and can stay for up to 90 days but people just living in UAE do require a visa. In Bahrain, it's a similar story as UAE natives don't require a visa to enter but passport holders of other countries who reside in the UAE need either an eVisa or a Bahrain on-arrival visa. Credit: Supplied Oman is open to UAE citizens without the need for a visa but residents in the GCC currently need to be on a list of approved professions or be accompanied by someone who is in order to get an unsponsored visa. Citizens of GCC countries can enter Kuwait without a visa by presenting a valid GCC ID card but those who are non-nationals will need an eVisa or visa-on-arrival. Qatar allows citizens of more than 100 countries to enter visa-free including those from the UAE. Lengths of stay vary, and conditions will be different depending on your nationality. And, people travelling to the UAE from other GCC countries are allowed entry for a period of no longer than 30 days, which can only be extended once with an eVisa. When the date for the new unified tourist visa is confirmed, we'll have all the details you need to know to prepare yourself. What do you need for a GCC Unified Tourist Visa? Currently, we do not know the requirements for UAE citizens or residents for the new visa. However, it has previously been hinted by the UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri that the visa will apply to residents within the GCC rather than just passport holders. In November 2023 he said: 'Hopefully, we are going to see something around a pan-GCC visa which will allow easier mobility of people within the GCC. 'A resident of Saudi, for instance, can enter the UAE and vice versa. I think that's where we see the future of GCC tourism.' This could mean that your Emirates ID is about to become even more powerful than it already is. What will the GCC Unified Tourist Visa mean for UAE? While the UAE is arguably the best prepared of the six GCC nations to welcome large swathes of tourists, the country is going to make some changes to make travelling easier. For visitors to the UAE, the Emirates Tourism Council say they are working on a tourist route within the country which will interconnect the seven emirates. Infrastructure projects such as the Etihad Rail passenger train should make travel around the UAE easier (Credit: WAM) The new Etihad Rail passenger train set to start operations between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the future should also make travel around the country much easier. New major roads around Dubai, the UAE's most populated city, will eventually make things easier too. Amazing things to do in Dubai Free things to do in Dubai Want to explore Dubai but save money? 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What's On
03-07-2025
- Business
- What's On
One visa, six countries: GCC Grand Tours visa set to transform regional travel
If you've ever dreamed of a Gulf-wide road trip, hopping from the souks of Muscat to the skyscrapers of Riyadh, sandy beaches in Bahrain to the modern wonders of Dubai, the upcoming GCC Grand Tours Visa might just turn that dream into a reality. First approved by GCC tourism ministers in late 2023, the unified visa is currently in research and testing, expected to launch later this year, according to GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi. Rather than applying for separate permits across six countries, tourists (and long‑term GCC residents) will soon be able to apply once for multiple-entry access lasting at least 30 days, with potential extensions depending on individual national rules . Why this matters — for tourists and tourism Currently, GCC nationals enjoy visa-free travel between member states, but residents, including expats and non-nationals, must juggle multiple eVisas or on-arrival permits . The unified visa delivers simpler, more consistent rules, no more application whiplash or surprises at the border. Tour operators are already crafting multi-country holiday packages, and property portals expect surging bookings in short-term rentals—especially in Dubai—as travellers take advantage of longer, more flexible trips across the region. Just like the Schengen area has done for Europe, the GCC version is expected to supercharge tourism economies, spread visitor spending more evenly, and make Gulf bleisure possible—where conference trips become extended regional adventures. What's next for travellers? We don't yet have the final rules, but based on regional statements, here's what to expect: A single online application covering all six GCC countries Likely requirements: passport with six months' validity, travel insurance, proof of hotel bookings or residence, and return or onward tickets Stays likely to last 30 to 90 days, with multi-entry validity similar to European Schengen standards Tourism ministers are waiting on final security reviews, Oman has reportedly raised a few, but the ministers met again in June 2025 and reaffirmed their commitment to roll this out by end of year What this means for you For every travel professional, city-lover, or casual traveller in the GCC, the ease of packing one suitcase and exploring six nations is a game-changer. Weekend Oman getaways, a Bahrain culture fest, family visits in Kuwait, a staycation in Abu Dhabi, or a festival in Doha—all possible in a single visit. It's more than convenience, it's an invitation to rediscover the Gulf. Once launched, we'll have full details on eligibility, pricing, and application portals. Until then, keep your passport close, it's about to get a lot more powerful. Image: Archive Supply > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Arab Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Hosts GCC Energy Workshop
KUWAIT CITY, July 2: A high-level Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) workshop on protecting the infrastructure of the oil and gas sector and crisis management kicked off Tuesday, at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition in Ahmadi, Kuwait. The three-day event is jointly organized by the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), and the GCC Emergency Management Center. During the workshop, GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi said in a recorded speech that GCC energy supplies represent a fundamental pillar of global supply, concurrently noting that the Gulf states are working to implement ambitious development plans, which in turn would lead to an increase in local energy demand. The GCC chief said that the developing world is witnessing rapid progress and a growing demand for energy, noting that the Asia-Pacific region is expected to account for 50 percent of the global GDP by 2040, making it one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. GCC faces three main challenges; adapting to the global energy transition, meeting increasing domestic demand, and ensuring the security and stability of the global energy market, he pointed out. The security and safety of energy assets in the Gulf region are fundamental to the global market, as ongoing developments and conflicts in the region indicated that any future events in the Middle East could directly impact three out of the world's seven strategic maritime chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Suez Canal, Al-Budaiwi stressed. The current conflicts not only threaten global supply chains, Al-Budaiwi emphasized, but also affect national and cross-border development projects such as connectivity initiatives between the European Union and the Middle East, which rely on safe passage through the Levant and the Mediterranean Sea. In a similar recorded statement, United Nations Undersecretary General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov emphasized that the meeting takes place amid a period of escalating global security threats. He highlighted that UN General Assembly Resolution 77/298 unequivocally condemns terrorist attacks targeting energy infrastructure and underscores the need for strengthened cooperation among governments, international organizations, and the private sector. Voronkov further noted that the Security Council has introduced a technical guide for the protection of critical energy infrastructure from terrorist threats, developed with the support of the Russia and Turkmenistan. He underscored that the guide is the product of in-depth research, broad international consultations, and the collective expertise of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, in collaboration with the Working Group on Emerging Threats and Infrastructure Protection. In her remarks at the workshop, UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Tahir emphasized that this meeting offers a key opportunity to promote best practices, share expertise, and highlight the Gulf countries' progress in building comprehensive security frameworks regionally and nationally. Al-Tahir highlighted that, for decades, the Gulf states have served as a cornerstone of global energy security and sustainable development, being home to vast reserves of oil and natural gas and playing a vital role in ensuring stable energy supplies worldwide. She reaffirmed the UN's role, especially the Kuwait office, in supporting shared security goals, expressing confidence that the meeting would yield practical, impactful results. Dr. Rashid Al-Marri, Head of the GCC Emergency Management Center, emphasized that the meeting offers a vital platform to boost cooperation to protect oil and gas infrastructure; key pillars of Gulf economies and global energy stability. He highlighted the need for greater readiness amid growing threats, including terrorism, cyberattacks, and geopolitical tensions. He noted the center's role in coordinating crisis response among member states, developing a regional emergency plan covering 13 types of risks, and working closely with the UN Office of Counterterrorism on training and capacity-building. On his part, KOC's Assistant CEO, Musaed Al-Rasheed, stressed the importance of strengthening regional and international partnerships to secure maritime routes and energy supplies, especially as the industry faces complex geopolitical, industrial, and natural threats.(KUNA)
Kuwait News Agency
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait News Agency
GCC chief, Saudi Education Min. discuss Gulf educational coop.
Education RIYADH, May 4 (KUNA) -- Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi met on Sunday with Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan to discuss educational collaboration across the GCC. According to a GCC statement, the meeting - held at the GCC headquarters in Riyadh and attended by the Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEFS), Dr. Mohammad Al-Moqbel - focused on the joint educational agenda, including the 2022-2026 cooperation plans in education, higher education, and scientific research. The officials also reviewed progress on revising the strategy of the ABEFS and evaluating its affiliated offices to strengthen and advance Gulf educational efforts in line with current and future developments. Al-Budaiwi emphasized the support Gulf leaders give to the educational sector, and noted that the GCC countries now rank among the top in regional and international education indicators. He also congratulated Al-Moqbel on his recent appointment as Director General of the ABEFS, wishing him success in his new role. (end)
