At the beginning, I would like to express deep thanks and appreciation to my Brother, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud for his sincere efforts during his chairmanship of the previous session of the Higher Council, which contributed to strengthening and promoting its progress.

Dear Brothers,

      You would perhaps agree with me that our Council’s achievements along its march, though important, are still less than the expectations of our peoples. We are, therefore, called upon to double the efforts to realize those expectations, since we do not lack the potentials nor the abilities.

      In recent years, the member states of our Council have managed - Thank God - to realize high development rates in various fields, evidences of which are plenty. However, the field of scientific research in particular remains in need of further attention and care because it is one of the main basics not only of sustainable development, but also of progress in its comprehensive sense. Real progress requires that we become a source of knowledge in its various aspects and being capable of developing it and not mere consumers of it. Maintaining these gains and proceeding to realize ambitions requires utilizing all the efforts that guarantee peace, security and stability on the basis of peaceful co-existence and mutual respect. This represents a true wish of all countries of the region including those located on the Gulf.

Dear Brothers,

      We are meeting today in climates of grave dangers threatening our homelands, the region and the world. They are dangers that not only affect security but also the means of progress, the levels of production, standards of living and welfare and all aspects of life in today’s world. Security and development are two faces of the same coin.

      We want all parties to the serious crisis in the region which has many causes, ranging from the Iranian nuclear program to the armies and fleets mobilized in the Gulf waters in threat, and the conditions in Iraq and their threat to the Arab homeland; the growing forms of worry in Pakistan; the dormant terrorist cells, apart from the chronic crises arising from denial of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the resulting repercussions on their cause, among which is this enormous injustice in the West Bank and the besieged Gaza and the occupation of the Golan and Shabaa farms – to understand that all these situations cannot endure more pressures, otherwise they would be out of control.

      We also want all parties understand that this region which Islam has linked its peoples has been blessed with a location that is the centre of trade routes since the dawn of history, and man that was willing to travel to the end of the world to enhance beneficial communication among continents and dive into deep seas for its hidden treasures. It has been compensated by the Grace of God with a wealth that has an unfamiliar value.

      History is the witness to the fact that when gold was discovered and people knew its value, its owners used it as an ornament and for bartering their demands as well as extortion for many ages. When steam energy was discovered, its engines could not be made readily and easily available.

      On the contrary to that, oil with which God has blessed us to be among its biggest producers, has become from the start of its discovery in our lands a resource available to those who can afford it. Its energy was the biggest contribution to turning the wheels of human progress. This wealth in the hands of its owners was able to build great landmarks of progress and prosperity on these shores and greatly benefitted our Arab and Islamic nation. It is now one of the most prominent elements of soundness of the economy of these communities. Moreover, these wealths today play an active and effective role in the production sites and the international markets in the West and the East, aiding development and supporting stability.

      We want all to understand - and for the good of all- that this region deserves to be kept secure, peaceful and prosperous in the interest of humanity at large.

      Though we realize that the risk-fraught crises have their causes and backgrounds, many of which are clear and we know them and follow up their interactions, yet, we wish at the same time that all those concerned with the regional and international affair reconsider their positions before it is too late, because the disputable claims are not served by rushing to mutual intimidation and hatred campaigns that provoke anger and deepen suspicions, or by taking uncalculated risks that lead to unwanted consequences.

      We have also to realize that the new tools of world politics, its conventions and institutions, including the United Nations specialized agencies, in addition to the free, unconditional and unrestricted dialogue and careful assessment of the consequences before being driven by instincts – all are factors that help reconsideration and avoidance of evils that are of no benefit to anyone but harm everybody.

Dear Brothers,

      The agenda of our summit includes a number of political, economic and security issues on which we hope to take the resolutions that would achieve the aspirations and ambitions of our peoples.

      In conclusion, I welcome you once again, wishing you a pleasant stay, and pray to Allah to help us and guide our steps to what is of benefit to all.

      Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatoh.