Kuwait, Rabi'II 10, 1437, January 20, 2016, SPA -- Board Chairman and Director General of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah called the meeting of representatives of news agencies of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states an "urgent one", in light of growing turmoil in the region. The one-day meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh is a forum that aims to enhance regional media cooperation and discuss the current regional and international developments. In a press statement upon arrival this evening, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij underscored the importance of the meeting, amidst a critical time in the region, which necessitates persistent cooperation amongst Gulf news agencies. Various suggestions will be discussed during the meeting, ones that will be conveyed to Information Ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states for their scheduled meeting slated for March in Riyadh. Gulf media organizations, particularly, news agencies have seen vast improvements in productivity, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij noted. The Director General of KUNA also called on regional news agencies to employ the latest technological means to attain further growth and facilitate the works of journalists. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij also acknowledged efforts made by KUNA's Center for Development of Media Skills in assisting aspiring journalists to hone their skills through an array of productive training courses. He also thanked President of Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Hussein for the good reception and hospitality hailing his efforts to boost cooperation among Arab and Gulf news agencies and his keenness on development of Arab media discourse. --SPA 23:39 LOCAL TIME 20:39 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w