Kuwait city: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi expressed pride in the development of Gulf-Japanese relations across political, energy, cultural, academic, and trade sectors. Addressing the second joint ministerial meeting of the GCC-Japanese Strategic Dialogue, he emphasized the steady growth of this relationship and the mutual willingness to enhance partnership for the benefit of the people.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Budaiwi highlighted the international circumstances requiring stronger integration and partnerships to tackle shared challenges like food security, climate change, energy security, and digital transition. He noted the signing of a memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation and dialogue in 2012, which established a framework for cooperation in politics, security, trade, energy, health, education, and culture. A joint action plan for 2024-2028 aims to further partnerships in digital economy, technological innovation, clean energy, food security, and advanced healthcare.
Al-Budaiwi mentioned ongoing free trade agreement negotiations, including a joint statement signed in Jeddah on July 16, 2023, terms of reference in Tokyo on August 19, 2024, and two rounds of negotiations, the latest in Tokyo between June 30 and July 5, 2025. He estimated the two-way trade exchange at USD 115 billion in 2024, with Gulf exports primarily in oil, gas, and petrochemicals, and imports from Japan in auto, technology, and advanced industrial products valued at USD 31 billion.
Japanese investments in GCC member states were valued at USD 15 billion, focusing on clean energy, digitalization, and smart industries. Memorandums of understanding were signed with leading Japanese companies for developing green hydrogen and blue ammonia in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to support global transformation towards yellow neutrality by mid-century.
In education, Al-Budaiwi noted a 25 percent increase in Gulf students at Japanese colleges since 2020, alongside academic and research exchange programs aimed at knowledge transfer and capacity-building. Culturally, all GCC countries participated in the 2025 Osaka Expo, showcasing their national visions, cultural heritage, and future goals in innovation and sustainability.
Al-Budaiwi stressed the importance of cooperation in food security, sustainable agriculture, and cultural and tourist exchange, emphasizing that the GCC-Japan partnership is grounded in shared visions of peace and sustainable development. He expressed gratitude to Kuwait for hosting the meeting and Japan for its cooperation, as well as appreciation for the participation of all GCC countries.
He concluded with hopes that the discussions would lead to new steps to enhance the GCC-Japan strategic partnership and improve the welfare of their peoples. Al-Budaiwi extended thanks to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya for their contributions to the success of the gathering.