Riyadh, Apr. 16 (BNA):  Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), participated in the General Secretariat of the GCC's celebration of Gulf Youth Day.
The Secretary General emphasised that GCC leaders prioritise youth, recognising their key role in development, identity, and building resilient, future-ready societies.
Albudaiwi highlighted the significance of the occasion, noting that the event honours outstanding Gulf youth who, through determination and creativity, have shown that the future is shaped through effort.  The celebration was held under the theme "Gulf Youth:  Creativity, Leadership, Achievement."
He added that, in line with the directives of GCC leaders, member states are committed to empowering youth, enhancing their participation across sectors, and developing an environment that supports innovation and leadership, helping realise both their ambitions and the shared vision of a progressive, youth-driven Gulf society.
The Secretary General noted that Gulf youth continue to embody ambition and innovation, each carrying dreams, ideas, and the ability to transform them into projects that enhance society and support national development goals.  He highlighted the rise of youth-led initiatives in recent years across diverse domains, including the digital economy, artificial intelligence, fintech, entrepreneurship, arts, environment, and volunteerism.
Albudaiwi added that Gulf youth have proven to be strong representatives of their countries in regional and international forums. He commended the GCC states for their continued support through national entrepreneurship funds, innovation accelerators, and flexible legislation that fosters creativity and initiative.
He noted that the GCC General Secretariat, with support from member states, launched the "Gulf Youth Index", a scientific tool to assess youth realities, track progress, and identify areas for development.  He described it as a significant step in joint youth efforts, relying on modern data and statistics across key areas such as education, health, employment, innovation, community engagement, and quality of life.
The Secretary General highlighted that youth aged 15 to 34 make up around 36% of the GCC population, representing a significant human resource.  He noted that in some countries, over 40% of youth participate in sports, cultural, and social activities, reflecting strong engagement with their communities.
The Secretary General noted that in some GCC countries, over 40% of emerging projects are led by youth aged 20 to 34, reflecting strong initiative and responsibility.  The index also showed increased use of digital platforms in entrepreneurship, highlighting the need for greater support for technology and business accelerators in national strategies.
Albudaiwi underscored that the General Secretariat continues its diligent efforts in cooperation with the Ministries of Youth and Sports in the GCC countries to activate programmes that enhance leadership, support innovation, and open horizons for young energies to achieve more successes.
The Secretary General announced the General Secretariat’s plan to establish a "Gulf Youth Council" as a permanent institutional platform dedicated to youth affairs.  The initiative aims to empower Gulf youth as active partners in shaping future policies and advancing regional integration, serving as a unified voice across GCC member states.
The Council will focus on key tasks such as addressing youth-related challenges across GCC countries, proposing joint initiatives in education, innovation, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and digital citizenship.  It will also prepare reports and recommendations for the Ministers of Youth and Sports and the Supreme Council, and organise the annual "Gulf Youth Forum" as a platform for dialogue between youth and decision-makers.
The Council will also aim to strengthen Gulf unity by empowering future generations, developing communication between youth and decision-makers, and supporting national visions through human capital development.
H.K, A.A