Manama: Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Al-Budaiwi, addressed the 46th Bahrain-hosted Summit on Wednesday, speaking of the unity of Gulf States in the face of challenges.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Budaiwi cited incidents targeting the State of Qatar, specifically Iranian and Israeli occupation attacks, describing them as a breach of Qatar's sovereignty and a violation of international laws. He emphasized that these events highlight the strength of the bond among Gulf States, as they collectively supported Qatar's security and sovereignty.
On the Palestinian issue, Al-Budaiwi reiterated the GCC's stance on ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital. He acknowledged Saudi Arabia's efforts in supporting the two-state solution and welcomed the outcomes of the International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine in New York.
Al-Budaiwi also applauded the results of the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit and the agreement signed by Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye, and the US, emphasizing the importance of adhering to its ceasefire stipulations. He commended the policies of GCC States as a model of regional work, combining political stability, economic prosperity, and security cooperation.
He listed achievements for 2025, including successful international summits such as the Gulf-US summit in Riyadh, the GCC-ASEAN summit, and a trilateral summit with China, as well as ministerial meetings and MoUs. In terms of military cooperation, Al-Budaiwi highlighted joint drills, responses to Israeli occupation aggression on Qatar, and specialized committee meetings.
Regarding economic integration and development, he noted achievements in aviation, industrialization, commerce, anti-corruption, and humanitarian resolutions. Al-Budaiwi also discussed advancements in security cooperation, including an anti-money laundering strategy, preparations for an international gulf security conference in the UAE, a Qatar-hosted mobilization exercise, and the single point project.
Concluding his statement, Secretary-General Al-Budaiwi noted that the preparatory ministerial council submitted its recommendations to the Summit and expressed wishes for GCC states' stability, security, and prosperity.