Public opening remarks

Sheikh Thamer,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to open this meeting to celebrate 15 years of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.

Here in Kuwait.

When the Initiative was launched 15 years ago, it sent a clear signal of the importance of the security of the Gulf region to NATO.

And of the importance of NATO to the nations of the Gulf.

To ensure our safety and security, we need to tackle common challenges than none of us could face alone and therefore we have to stand together.

Terrorism, energy and maritime security, cyber-defence and many more are the challenges we need to face together.

In these last 15 years, NATO has provided tailored training and practical support to all of the countries of the Gulf.

Be it here in the region, at the Regional Centre here in Kuwait, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels or at the NATO Defence College in Rome.

Our Gulf partners have supported NATO-led operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Taken part in exercises and security sector reform.

And we all stand shoulder-to-shoulder as members of the Global Coalition Against Da’esh.

I am proud of the cooperation that has taken place between our nations.

And I very much look forward to deepening our partnership in the future.

And now I would like to give the floor to Sheikh Thamer Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait National Security Bureau.