Riyadh, Dec. 14, 2021, SPA -- The leaders and heads of delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) affirmed the importance of accurate, complete and continuous implementation of the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the completion of the components of economic unity as well as joint defense and security system, and coordination of stances in order to enhance solidarity and stability of the GCC countries, preserve their interests, avoid regional and international conflicts, meet the aspirations of the GCC citizens and enhance the GCC regional and international role, via unifying political stances and developing political partnerships at the regional and international levels. This came in the final communique of "Riyadh Declaration" issued by the meeting of the 42nd Session of the GCC Supreme Council today at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh. The final communique is read by GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, as follows: The 42nd GCC Leaders Summit issued a statement stipulating the agreement on principles and policies to develop strategic cooperation as well as economic and development integration among the GCC states and achieve the aspirations of the GCC citizens. The GCC leaders stressed the importance of accurate, complete and continuous implementation of the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the completion of the components of economic unity, the joint defense and security system, coordination of stances in order to enhance the GCC solidarity and stability, preserve interests, avoid regional and international conflicts, meet the aspirations of the GCC citizens and enhance the GCC regional and international role, via unifying political stances and developing political partnerships at the regional and international levels. The GCC leaders affirm of the contents of Article 2 of the Joint Defense Agreement that the GCC Member States consider that any attack against any of the GCC states is an attack on all of them. Any danger that threatens one of them threatens all of them. They assert the GCC member states' commitment of a collective action against all threats and challenges. The GCC leaders also stressed the importance of concerted efforts to coordinate and integrate the foreign policies of the member states in order to crystallize a unified and effective foreign policy that serves the aspirations of the peoples of the GCC countries, preserves their interests and gains, avoids regional and international conflicts or interference in their internal affairs, and achieves support and strategic interdependence among the common economic, defense and security policies to achieve common goals and aspirations. The GCC leaders stressed the importance of enhancing the joint cooperation and coordinating plans aimed at achieving sustainability and dealing with climate change and its effects, promoting joint action among the GCC countries to implement the circular carbon economy approach which was launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during its presidency of the G20 and was approved by the G20 as an integrated and comprehensive framework to address the challenges arising from greenhouse gas emissions and their management through the available and innovative technologies, and following up the implementation of initiatives, projects and mechanisms launched by the GCC countries in this field. The relevant committees are assigned to put the necessary mechanisms to achieve the best results related to protecting the environment and benefiting from the Green Saudi and Green Middle East initiatives, launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and strengthening the joint Gulf efforts to confront the environmental challenges, raise vegetation cover, increase reliance on clean technologies for all energy sources, combat pollution and preserve environmental life in all its forms to achieve the best decent livelihood for its people, in line with the conditions and priorities of the member states and their development plans, and in line with the global goals for sustainable development. The GCC leaders stressed the importance of following up the achievement of the goals of the economic visions of the GCC countries to achieve the economic diversification, maximize the benefit from the economic potentials and distinguished opportunities to double the joint investments among the GCC countries, develop the integration of the road, rail and communications networks among the GCC countries, support and strengthen national industries, accelerate their growth, provide the necessary protection for them, raise their competitiveness and access to a leading industrial position capable of competing globally, and remove all obstacles and difficulties facing the implementation of the joint economic action decisions among the GCC countries. They stressed the importance of enhancing the joint cooperation to continue combating the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), and the importance of supporting the process of collective action to combat the epidemics and diseases, and similar regulations in the future if they occur, and to encourage the proposal of the effective policies and strategies to deal with such conditions in the future, in order to help combat them and deal with their economic and social repercussions, travel conditions, and movement among the GCC countries. The GCC leaders also stressed the importance of continuing to support and enhance the role of the GCC women in economic development programs and their participation in the joint GCC action, encouraging the role of youths in the financial and business sectors and developing relief, humanitarian and voluntary work. They stressed the importance of enhancing the joint action towards digital transformation and modern technologies, enhancing cooperation and building alliances in the field of cyber and information security in line with the aspirations of the GCC countries, supporting the role of youths, the private sector and small and medium enterprises in the growth of economic diversification and digital transformation, and encouraging partnerships, projects and initiatives in this field. The GCC leaders assigned the committees, bodies, ministerial councils, the GCC Secretariat General and all the GCC agencies, each within its jurisdiction, to develop the necessary programs to put these principles and pillars into practice. Issued in Riyadh on 10/5/1443H corresponding to 14/12/2021. Then, Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers of the Sultanate of Oman, delivered a speech in which he expressed his thanks and pride to and appreciation ofHis Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, for the great role he is playing and the effort he is undertaking for the interest of the GCC and its states. He said, "There is no doubt that the GCC has not witnessed such harmony since years ago nor this sincere desire of everyone to work hard for the service of the countries and peoples of the GCC." He also expressed his thanks to and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince for the warm reception and hospitality, and for the interest in the progress of the GCC, which is reflected on the GCC countries as a whole. He also expressed thanks to and appreciation of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain for his role in managing the GCC's last session and the tasks he accomplished during it. Sayyid Fahd Al Said said, "I am pleased to extend the greetings of the Sultan of Oman to all of you, and the greetings of the Omani government and the people, who have all the appreciation of you and your peoples. We hope that this sincere familiarity will last with the efforts of the leaders and the efforts of their governments and all the citizens of GCC countries." On behalf of his country, he welcomed assuming the presidency of the next session of the Council, stressing that all efforts will be made during the next year, saying, "There is a mechanism and this mechanism we will strive to continue with the presence of the GCC's main sessions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Then, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, expressed in his speech at the conclusion of the session thanks to the GCC leaders for their contributions to the success of the work of this summit, hailing the solidarity of all to work for "the good and development of our countries and the well-being of our peoples." Then, a photo session for the GCC leaders and heads of delegations took place. HRH the Crown Prince held a dinner banquet in honor of the leaders and heads of delegations of the GCC's member countries. --SPA 23:54 LOCAL TIME 20:54 GMT 0038 www.spa.gov.sa/w1665432