UAE President Collaborates With GCC On Anti-Drugs Strategy For 2025-2028
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with His Excellency Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and delegation leaders attending a workshop on the GCC Strategy for Combating Drugs (2025-2028). The event, hosted by the Ministry of Interior in Abu Dhabi from 16 to 19 September, was organised by the GCC General Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and relevant UAE authorities.
The meeting took place at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed the GCC Secretary-General and delegation heads, highlighting the importance of cooperation and knowledge exchange between GCC security agencies and international bodies to tackle shared challenges, especially drug-related threats impacting social, economic, health, and security sectors.
His Highness emphasised that joint Gulf efforts across various fields, including security, are crucial for safeguarding the interests of GCC countries and their citizens. He expressed his hope that participants in the workshop would succeed in their mission to protect Gulf societies and youth from drugs through a unified and effective strategy.
The heads of delegations thanked the UAE for hosting the workshop. They praised the country's comprehensive approach to combating drugs and addressing associated risks. Their gratitude underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in tackling this pressing issue.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials. These included H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region; H.H. Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court.
Also present were His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, along with other officials, UAE citizens, and guests. Their presence highlighted the importance placed on addressing drug-related issues within the region.
The workshop aims to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat drugs from 2025 to 2028. This initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing regional security through collaboration with international organisations like UNODC.
The focus on a unified strategy underscores a collective effort to address drug-related challenges effectively. By working together, GCC countries aim to protect their societies from this significant threat.
With inputs from WAM
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