A group photo at the conclusion of the 5th conference of the Gulf Press Association, in Muscat, on Tuesday.

The fifth conference of the Gulf Press Association (GPA) concluded in Muscat on Tuesday, adopting a number of important resolutions to strengthen the standard of journalism and journalists in the GCC countries.

The conference set up a committee at the GPA secretariat to meet with GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Al-Zayani and explain to him the obstacles facing the organization.

“The committee will discuss with Al-Zayani prospects of cooperation to enable the GPA to play a vital role in GCC affairs,” an official statement said following the two-day conference.

Nasser Al-Othman, secretary-general of GPA, disclosed the association’s plan to organize a number of programs in different GCC countries.

“The secretariat meeting, which was presided over by Turki bin Abdullah Al-Sudairy, its president, has approved a number of programs and discussed how to overcome some of the problems facing GPA,” he said.

Al-Sudairy emphasized his organization’s efforts to improve the standard of media activities in the GCC, which groups Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE.

“We also work to enhance the capabilities of young GCC journalists including women by providing them with necessary training and guidance in order to play an important role in the profession,” he said.

The conference, which was held at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Muscat, was attended by prominent media persons in the region including editors in chief of GCC newspapers and magazines.

Awad bin Saeed Baquwair, president of the Omani Journalists Association, which hosted the meet, said the two-day deliberations focused on the challenges facing the organization, in light of speedy developments in the region.

He emphasized the importance of developing an effective public media in the GCC and train GCC citizens to achieve excellence in the profession.

During the conference, Al-Othman honored Rasheed Al-Safi, chairman of Oman Tender Board and Baquwair while Al-Sudairy was given the award for the best media personality of the year 2015. The award was received by Mohammed Al-Waeel, a member of the secretariat, on behalf of Al-Sudairy.

Al-Qabas newspaper also received a special award, which was received by its editor in chief Walid Abdullatif Al-Nesf. The participants later met with Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Saeed, deputy premier for Cabinet affairs in Oman.

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