The consultative meeting of His Excellencies and Honorable Ministers of Health of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with the participation of the Gulf Council, was held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Al-Ula Governorate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al-Sabti, Minister of Health of the Sultanate of Oman (current session’s president), and attended by the Excellencies and Honorable Ministers of Health from the GCC countries.
During the meeting, the Excellencies and Honorable Ministers discussed ways to develop and enhance the Gulf healthcare system, as well as strengthen integration and coordination among the GCC countries in the field of health.
The meeting commenced with the Excellencies and Honorable Ministers expressing their utmost gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of Saudi Arabia, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for hosting the consultative meeting of the Excellencies and Honorable Ministers of Health from the GCC countries. They also expressed their gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Ghulam, the Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This meeting comes in accordance with the noble directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses, may God protect and preserve them, and their keenness to provide comprehensive healthcare for Gulf citizens, and for the GCC countries to be at the forefront of distinguished countries in the field of health.
During the meeting, several agenda items were discussed, including the health and humanitarian developments in the sisterly Republic of Sudan due to the current crisis and ways to unify medical and relief efforts to support it. The meeting also discussed the outcomes of the first meeting of the Arab regulatory bodies and authorities on medicines and briefed the Excellencies and Honorable Ministers of Health from the GCC countries on the developments and latest updates regarding the International Health Regulations, Charter, and mechanisms of the World Health Organization on preparedness, response, and prevention of pandemics by the International Negotiating Body.
