His Excellency Mr. Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC delivered a speech during the event, at the beginning of which His Excellency pointed out: “I am pleased and honoured, in my name and on behalf of my fellow employees of the General Secretariat, to escalate to Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of GCC member states my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the 42nd founding anniversary of our honourable Council, and on the achievements of the blessed march of the GCC since its establishment on the 25th of May 1981, especially those related to fulfilling the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC countries and accomplishing more integration and interdependence among its countries in the various fields of joint Gulf action, in addition to the support and care enjoyed by the General Secretariat, its departments and employees, out of the belief of our leaders in its role in strengthening the course of joint Gulf action. We pray to Allah the Almighty to perpetuate the GCC countries' blessing of security, stability and prosperity."

His Excellency also extended to His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Riyadh Region, his sincere thanks and gratitude for his patronage and honouring of the ceremony by his participation to share the joy of the establishment anniversary of the GCC with the Council member states' citizens. Moreover, His Excellency also thanked Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic corps for attending this prestigious event.

Moreover, His Excellency the Secretary General highlighted that the blessed course of the GCC witnessed unprecedented achievements and great competitive indicators, and established strong fraternal relations among the GCC states, under the generous directives and sound wisdom of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states through 43 regular summits, 4 exceptional summits, 17 consultative summits, and 8 joint summits, the harvest of which was accomplishing many achievements in support of the integration of joint Gulf action in various political, economic, defense, security, social, humanitarian and environmental fields. 

"It is enough for me to recall with pride what our Council has achieved thanks to the integration in these fields, especially that the indicators and numbers achieved by our Council are a source of pride and honour for us as GCC nationals, especially that they show that our institution is considered one of the strongest regional organisations thanks to the strong interdependent and harmony among its member states," His Excellency said, stressing: "Today we are faced with a great responsibility to support the blessed march of the GCC, and to protect the gains that have been made through it, and we are all confident in the capabilities and abilities of our young boys and girls, on whom we pin our faith and belief to record consecutive successes.  This requires all of us to work hard and tirelessly to elevate the role and position of the Cooperation Council regionally and internationally. This is the key objective we pursue to accomplish at the General Secretariat by actualising, implementing and following up on the programmes, goals and projects entrusted to us to make greater successes.

Meanwhile, His Excellency extended his thanks, appreciation and gratitude to the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the facilities and unlimited support they provides to the General Secretariat and its affiliated offices and bodies in the country of headquarters and to Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the Council States, members of the respected Ministerial Council, for their continued support and care for the General Secretariat of the Council and its employees in order to carry out the tasks entrusted to the Council. 

His Excellency also thanked the employees of the General Secretariat of the GCC and its affiliated bodies and offices, for their brilliant efforts, dedication to work, and unlimited sincerity, and for their keenness to make the march and achievements of the GCC a role model. Besides, His Excellency praised the efforts of the head and members of the organising committee of the ceremony for their efforts in preparing and organising this special event.

His Excellency concluded his speech by reiterating his thanks and gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, for gracing the event, praying to Allah the Almighty to perpetuate the grace of security, safety, stability and prosperity on the GCC states, and to reward our endeavors to achieve the aspirations of the leaders of the GCC states to upgrade the process of joint Gulf action and achieve the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC states.