“The aim is to upgrade journalism professionally, boost media freedoms, exchange experiences and information, organise training sessions and support press establishments to overcome financial and technical hardships,” he said as he opened in the Gulf Hotel’s Awal Hall the third edition of GPU general conference and the congress’ 6th meeting with the participation of over 40 Editors-in-Chief of main newspapers in the Arabian Gulf region.
HM the King’s Advisor for Media Affairs Nabil bin Yaqoob Al Hamer, GPU President Turki bin Abdullah Al-Sediri and Chairman of the Council of Gulf International Relations (COGIR) Taraq Al-Shammari also attended.
Shaikh Fawaz welcomed GPU President and members as well as Editors-in-Chief and Directors of Gulf newspapers wishing them a good stay in Bahrain and every success in achieving set up goals.
He also underlined the importance of the meeting which coincides with choosing Manama the capital of Arab press for 2012, and following the advisory summit in Riyadh which accentuated the need to move into a Gulf union.
Shaikh Fawaz recalled the honourable stances of GPU, the Editors-in-Chief of Gulf newspapers, press establishments, journalists and media persons in showing utter support to Bahrain’s security and stability during last year’s incidents. He praised their highly professional, objective and responsible tackling of Arab and international issues.
He also thanked them for their honourable stance and backing of the reform process spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with the support of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander.
He commended the role of GPU in achieving Gulf media complementarities and activating the GCC joint media work strategy for the years 2010-2020.
“This union epitomizes the key role played by the press in strengthening citizenship and national identity as well as projecting the developmental and civilizational accomplishments of the GCC countries, in response to the defamatory campaigns waged by some foreign mass media,” Shaikh Fawaz emphasized.
He expressed hope the meeting would come up with new steps to further enhance cooperation and coordination among the GCC press and media establishments, in line with the aspirations of the GCC leaders and people to expedite the Gulf union, being the ultimate goal of the Gulf Cooperation Council since its inception in 1981.
GPU President Turki bin Abdullah Al-Sediri gave a speech in which he lauded IAA’s tremendous support to GPU, thanking Bahrain for hosting the 3rd edition of GPU general conference and the congress’ 6th meeting.
He also presented Shaikh Fawaz with GPU trophy in tribute to his mammoth efforts in developing the media sector and supporting its personnel.
The IAA President presented the Gulf Association for Press and Free Media Award to GPU Secretary General Nasser Mohammed Othman who expressed delight over the initiative, describing the award as a credit to the founding generation of the Gulf press.
As part of its agenda, the 3rd GPU general conference will discuss launching an annual press award named after the union and holding a forum for female GCC journalists this year to debate issues pertaining to women’s work in the press field, their ambitions and difficulties facing them.
On the sidelines of the conference, Shaikh Fawaz opened a photo gallery for press founders and pioneering journalists in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.