Conference of Arabian Gulf & Regional Challenges held

(Riyadh) – ‘The Conference of the Arabian Gulf and Regional Challenges’ organized by the Institute of Diplomatic Studies, in collaboration with the Gulf Research Center in Dubai opened at the Intercontinental Hotel in Riyadh.In the opening remarks, Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, called for addressing the risks and challenges that surround the Arab Gulf States and follow a multi-faceted response to confront them.
He also called for regional and international cooperation to contain the explosive conflicts and address the phenomenon of terrorism which has become a major threat to the stability and security of the international community which requires concerted international efforts to combat this dangerous phenomenon and fortify the internal front in our countries in the face of these dangers in neighboring countries.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash delivered a speech on the GCC and regional changes, in which he said the GCC had been playing a pivotal role in regional security and stability.He underscored the so-called extremist political Islam as one of the major challenges facing the region’s security, as well as economic and social welfare. Other challenges, he added, include, trans-border crime and terrorism.
Dr. Gargash said in order to confront such challenges, particularly the terrorism, the UAE established the Center for Countering Violent Extremism (Hedayah) to serve as the premier international institution for training, dialogue, collaboration, and research to counter violent extremism in all of its forms and manifestations.
The UAE also hosts the Muslim Council of Elders, the first independent international body that aims at promoting peace in Muslim societies. The country recently ratified a federal counter-terrorism law and is an active member in a number of regional and international counter-terrorism bodies.
Dr. Gargash warned that ISIL currently represents the most notorious terrorist group following its heinous crimes in Syria and Iraq.
(Courtesy WAM)