Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi reaffirmed that the Council continues to operate under a comprehensive regional security vision launched in 2024, aimed at strengthening peace and stability, safeguarding energy supplies and maritime navigation, addressing climate challenges, and expanding economic partnerships that benefit the peoples of the region.
Albudaiwi’s remarks came on Thursday during his participation in a regional dialogue titled “Regional Resilience and Recovery: Strengthening Collective Responses to Crises for a Resilient Mediterranean Region through Strategic Partnership,” held on the sidelines of the 10th Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum.
He explained that since its establishment, the GCC has built an extensive network of relationships spanning multiple continents, including more than 23 countries and a significant number of international organizations, through memoranda of understanding, joint action plans, and framework agreements. He noted that the GCC has signed several free trade agreements, with negotiations continuing to expand this portfolio.
Albudaiwi highlighted the strategic partnership with the European Union, founded on mutual respect, common interests, and cooperation in the fields of security, energy, and development. He recalled that the Cooperation Agreement between the two sides laid the foundation for this relationship before it evolved into the 2022–2027 Joint Action Programme, which was further deepened during the first GCC–EU summit held in Brussels in October 2024.
He also referred to the high-level GCC–EU Regional Cooperation Forum, noting that its first edition was hosted by Luxembourg in April 2024, while Kuwait hosted the second edition last October. The forum discussed key regional security issues and crises, for which the GCC has maintained firm positions supporting international diplomacy, facilitating humanitarian relief, and promoting efforts toward a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
On Syria, Albudaiwi revealed that the visit of Kuwait’s Foreign Minister—chair of the Ministerial Council—to the 46th extraordinary session included a meeting with the leadership of Syria’s new administration, during which a message of support from the GCC was conveyed. He emphasized the Council’s commitment to assisting Syria during this critical phase.
He added that the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and Syria held in Mecca last March marked a new phase of cooperation in support of Syria and its people, reiterating the GCC’s firm position in favor of a comprehensive political solution that preserves Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and alleviates the suffering of its population.
Albudaiwi also noted that 2025 witnessed several GCC initiatives to support Syria’s economic recovery, including large shipments of humanitarian and relief aid led by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the payment of Syria’s arrears to the World Bank by Riyadh and Doha in April 2025, the Saudi–Syrian Investment Forum held in Damascus in July 2025, and three subsequent waves of business delegations totaling 26 groups.
Regarding Lebanon, Albudaiwi stressed that the GCC’s stance is rooted in a firm belief in supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity, and in rejecting any actions that could endanger regional security. He welcomed government steps aimed at ensuring that weapons remain solely under state control.
He concluded by emphasizing that the GCC continues—through active strategic partnerships—to build an economic environment capable of withstanding crises and strengthening joint action. He stressed that the Council’s comprehensive vision is realized through careful planning, and that this regional forum underscores the importance of such an approach.
