Minister of Information Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-SalemAl-Sabah said here on Monday concerted efforts need to be exerted to safeguard andprotect GCC antiquities and museums.Speaking at a meeting of senior officials of GCC monuments and museums heldhere, Sheikh Salman, who also doubles as minister of state for youth affairs andchairman of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), said: "Thismeeting comes to call for exerting concerted efforts and harnessing potential tosafeguard GCC monuments which are a great human tradition and a vivid reminderof human civilizations." The minister believed that a promising future could not becreated unless cultural and human tradition is given much significance.The meeting is primarily intended to boost public awareness of monuments whichmark a knowledge fortune that should be protected and maintained, he said, addingthat monumental history and diverse types of tradition reflect the national identityand cultural dimension of peopleIn this context, the Kuwaiti minister of information spoke highly of the great roleplayed by the GCC Secretariat in the promotion of cultural activities among the GCCmember states, as well as the protection of Gulf tradition.On his part, Assistant Secretary-General of the GCC for Culture and Media KhaledAl-Ghassani appreciated the efforts of specialists and researchers working in thefield of monuments and museums in safeguarding GCC tradition.He voiced hope that the meeting would come up with resolutionsandrecommendations that could contribute to bolstering and consolidating inter-Gulfcooperation in the field of monuments and museums. Several Gulf experts in monuments and museums were awarded on the sidelines ofthe meeting.