Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Al-Budaiwi, said on Thursday that it is essential to keep pushing joint Arab action forward and harness political, economic, and military capabilities to address various challenges.

Al-Budaiwi made the remark while giving a lecture at Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College in the presence of several high-ranking Army Officers, according to a Kuwaiti Army statement, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

He reviewed the crucial role of the GCC member countries amid global changes and polarizations that have contributed to cementing and solidifying the Gulf bloc, stressing that the GCC has always been keen on serving the interests of its countries and people and promoting its strategic partnerships in all fields.

For his part, Commander of Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College Major General Fahad Fahiman said the GCC Chief’s lecture is part of the College’s program for students from sister countries.

In another development, Director General of Kuwait’s Directorate General of the Coast Guard, Commodore Sheikh Mubarak Ali Al-Sabah, discussed Sunday with the visiting Iranian Border Guards Commander, Major General Ahmad Goudarzi, boosting commercial and fishing vessel search and rescue efforts and combating drug smuggling and maritime piracy.

In a press statement, the Interior Ministry said that the meeting was held at the Sabah Al-Ahmad Coast Guard Base in Kuwait.

Commodore Sheikh Mubarak and Major General Ahmad also mulled beefing up the security of maritime borders. Both sides underlined the importance of cementing security cooperation, mainly related to securing maritime borders, streamlining commercial maritime routes, and maintaining the security and stability of maritime navigation. (Kuwait Army; Kuwait Interior Ministry; KUNA; Photo © KUNA)