Kuwait: The Gulf Journalists Union holds its sixth meeting in Kuwait and approves developmental plans and a Gulf Journalism Award.The Board of Directors of the Gulf Journalists Union held its sixth meeting in the State of Kuwait, hosted by the Kuwait Journalists Association, coinciding with the fourth Gulf Women Journalists Forum, with the attendance of all board members. Mr. Issa Al-Shayji, the President of the Union and Secretary-General, chaired the meeting, attended by Mr. Adnan Al-Rashed, Chairman of the Dispute Resolution and Freedoms Committee, Mr. Adwan Al-Ahmari, Chairman of the Training and Qualification Committee, Dr. Mohammed Al-Araimi, Chairman of the Arab and International Affairs Committee, Ms. Fadila Al-Muaini, Chairwoman of the Gulf Women Journalists Committee, Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani, Chairman of the Professional Affairs and Sports Media Committee, and Mr. Fawaz Suleiman, Executive Director and Secretary of the meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting, the council president welcomed the members, appreciating their active participation in the sixth meeting. Mr. Issa Al-Shayji, on behalf of the board of directors, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the journalistic community in the Kingdom of Bahrain on the issuance of the royal decree for the Press and Electronic Media Law. He also congratulated the Abu Dhabi Media Office on the decision to establish the Abu Dhabi Press Club, wishing everyone success in serving the Gulf journalism, and affirming the federation's commitment to opening doors for cooperation and coordination with media and press bodies in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The meeting discussed several agenda items related to Gulf journalism and its development, as well as ways to enhance cooperation between journalism associations and institutions and support those working in the field. The President of the Federation and the Secretary-General, Mr. Issa Al-Shayji, confirmed that the council addressed several issues, most notably the financial situation of the federation and future activities and projects. He pointed out that the meeting discussed new programs that will be launched in the field of training to keep pace with the significant transformations in.

The media and journalistic arena. Al-Shayji stated that "the significant media influx in the Gulf region makes it essential for us to have clear visions to rationalize media work." Al-Shayji praised the efforts of the Kuwait Journalists Association in hosting and organizing the fourth Gulf Women Journalists Forum under the title "The Gulf Narrative of Women in Journalism and Media," which was held in partnership between the federation and the Kuwaiti association under the patronage of the Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, His Excellency Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi. He pointed out that more than 30 female journalists from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries participated in the forum. He also appreciated the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information's interest in supporting joint Gulf media work and providing a suitable environment for exchanging expertise.

For his part, Professor Adnan Al-Rashed, President of the Kuwait Journalists Association and Chairman of the Committee for Dispute Resolution and Freedoms, welcomed the holding of the sixth meeting of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Journalists Union in Kuwait, attended by all heads of Gulf journalistic associations, bodies, and centers, to continue the path of achievements and enhance joint Gulf media cooperation. He explained that the meeting discussed the most important issues related to journalists and media professionals in the Council's member states, and several points were approved regarding enhancing coordination for internal and external work, in addition to discussing the training of journalists and setting a roadmap in light of the development of digital media, along with launching an award in the name of the union.
Al-Rashed confirmed that the union is working at a high pace to enhance the Gulf media presence in various forums, and that "the ambitions are great for what journalists and media professionals in the Gulf aspire to."

The council discussed ways to improve journalistic performance and expand professional and training cooperation among member associations, as well as partnerships with international institutions, to enhance the status of Gulf journalism in light of media changes.

The council also praised the initiative presented by the Kuwait Journalists Association in organizing the fourth Gulf Women Journalists Forum, considering it an important opportunity for female journalists from various member states to meet and empower.
The young generation and enhancing cooperation and exchanging experiences, especially in the fields of training and development.

The board of directors reviewed the preparations for the launch of the first edition of the "Gulf Journalism Award" after the specialized committee completed the arrangements, standards, and conditions, with an announcement to be made later. The council discussed the union's participation in the "International Federation of Journalists" conference scheduled to be held in Paris in 2026. The council also welcomed the invitation from the Qatari Center for Journalism to hold the seventh board meeting in the State of Qatar and concluded the meeting by emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation among member states, supporting the development of the journalism profession, and unifying Gulf positions to serve the interests of the region's countries.