On Friday, May 10, 2024, corresponding to 02 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1445 AH, the 40th meeting of Their Excellencies, the Undersecretaries of Youth and Sports Ministries in the GCC countries, was held in the Qatari capital, Doha. This meeting served as a preparatory meeting for the 37th session of Their Highnesses, Excellencies, and Honorable Ministers of Youth and Sports in the GCC countries.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Abdulrahman bin Muslim Al-Dosari, Advisor to the Minister of Sports and Youth, and attended by Their Excellencies, the Undersecretaries of Youth and Sports Ministries from the GCC countries, along with His Excellency Mr. Khalid bin Ali bin Salem Al-Sunaidi, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat.

During the meeting, several topics of mutual interest in the field of youth within the GCC countries were discussed. Chief among these was the restructuring of the technical committees affiliated with the Committee of Youth and Sports Ministers in accordance with the resolution of the esteemed Ministerial Council in its 150th session. The undersecretaries also discussed the future work plan for the Committee of Youth and Sports Ministers for the years 2024-2030.

The meeting reviewed a proposal from the General Secretariat to create unified Gulf projects in the field of youth work. It tasked the Planning, Coordination, and Follow-up Committee of the Strategic Plan of the Committee of Youth and Sports Ministers to develop a “Gulf Youth Development Index” and to prepare appropriate executive plans that align with current and future developments and the visions of the GCC countries in the youth sector.

The meeting also considered the organization of a joint Gulf program in humanitarian volunteer work for 2024 and the general framework for the third Gulf Youth Forum, scheduled to be held in 2024. Additionally, the general framework for the Gulf Youth Day 2024, which will be organized annually on June 6, was reviewed.

The importance of enhancing international strategic partnerships and dialogues with countries and regional and international organizations in the youth field was emphasized, leveraging the outstanding expertise and resources available in these countries to benefit the youth of the GCC. The goal is to equip them with the necessary skills and experiences to achieve their aspirations. The meeting also approved the recommendations reached by the joint working groups in the youth field between the GCC and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Kingdom of Morocco from meetings held in 2023. Furthermore, the recommendations and outcomes of the technical committees in the youth field, as well as the joint programs, activities, and events organized by the Youth and Sports Ministries, were reviewed.

It is noted that the recommendations resulting from this meeting will be presented at the 30th meeting of Their Highnesses, Excellencies, and Honorable Ministers of Youth and Sports in the GCC countries, scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, corresponding to 03 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1445 AH.