GCC Secretary General Calls For Unified Efforts To Tackle Drug Trafficking And Abuse

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, highlighted the extensive impact of drug trafficking and abuse. He noted that this issue affects not only individuals but also families and entire communities. Albudaiwi called on GCC member states to unite their efforts to address this threat to the youth and future of the region.

During the "Preparing the GCC Strategy for Combating Drugs" workshop, hosted by the UAE Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the GCC General Secretariat and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Abu Dhabi from September 16 to 19, 2024, Albudaiwi emphasized the unprecedented impact of drugs on societies. He stated that drug abuse is not just a public health issue but also a threat to social, economic, and political security.

Albudaiwi pointed out that Gulf societies, particularly the youth, are targeted by organized crime syndicates. These groups relentlessly pursue their agenda to undermine communities and spread their poison globally. He reiterated that it is crucial to consolidate Gulf efforts and maintain coordination and cooperation among GCC countries.

He stressed that tackling this problem is a collective responsibility. The success of any strategy depends on the collective effort and collaboration of all stakeholders. Albudaiwi noted that drug addiction is not merely an individual challenge but a crisis affecting entire communities. Dealing with it requires joint visions and plans.

Albudaiwi expressed gratitude to the UAE for hosting the event. He thanked the UN for its continuous support and all organizations and institutions that contributed to organizing the event. He specifically acknowledged the efforts of the GCC General Secretariat and assistant secretaries for their diligent work.

Unified Gulf Strategy

He stressed that addiction does not affect only the user but threatens the fabric of families and society. As such, coming up with a unified Gulf strategy to combat drugs requires full commitment and collective responsibility. Albudaiwi said, "protect our youth and safeguard our future."

This workshop is a vital step toward enhancing Gulf cooperation in addressing the growing drug problem that poses a significant threat to the region’s societies. Albudaiwi was keen to see fruitful discussions and constructive recommendations that will strengthen efforts to protect communities.

Albudaiwi concluded by emphasizing that drug addiction impacts entire communities, necessitating joint visions and plans for effective solutions. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate closely in developing strategies to combat this pressing issue.

With inputs from SPA