|  | | 11/12/2025 6:05 PM |  وليد الدغباسي | 11/12/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 | His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underlined that the joint efforts of the Ministries of Interior of the GCC countries have resulted in Gulf security achievements that have bolstered the "state of security and stability in our nations."
"This is in implementation of the directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC countries and in fulfillment of the aspirations of our peoples," His Excellency stressed.
These remarks came during the 42nd meeting of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Interior of the GCC countries, held today, Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in Kuwait City.
The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Shaikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Kuwait—Chairman of the current session—and attended by Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Interior of the GCC countries.
His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi began his speech by extending the highest gratitude, recognition, and appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait - Chairman of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council- for the sincere and dedicated efforts exerted by the Government of the State of Kuwait in managing and ensuring the success of the joint Gulf meetings during its presidency of this session, wishing the State of Kuwait and all GCC countries continued progress, development, and prosperity.
"The GCC countries have attained a prestigious regional and international standing. Our nations have also become a destination for numerous visitors and investors, let alone the residents who work here. This reflects the state of security and stability in our homelands, thanks to Allah the Almighty and then to your constant and continuous dedication to enhancing it," His Excellency the GCC Secretary General stated.
His Excellency also reviewed the recommendations reached by Their Excellencies the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Interior, "for which they were thanked,"
"These included the GCC Security Strategy for Combating Money Laundering Crimes 2026-2030; preparing a workshop for the GCC Strategy for Combating Cybercrimes and Artificial Intelligence in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); the workshop for the GCC Strategy for Combating Extremism 2026; the GCC Security Conference Initiative 2027; and preparation for the first phase of the single-point project for air travel between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain," His Excellency said, indicating that it was agreed to finalise and launch this phase during the current year, and to generalise the experience to the Ministries of Interior in all GCC countries.
"The achievements realised at the level of our joint GCC security work have become a source of pride and honour for us, including the GCC Strategy for Combating Drugs 2025-2028, and the completion of the project to develop systems and link traffic violations between the GCC countries to a very high degree," His Excellency pointed out.
Finally, His Excellency concluded his speech by expressing the GCC Secretariat General's appreciation to Their Highnesses and Excellencies for the significant support received from the Ministries of Interior, underscoring that the Secretariat General remains committed to exerting all efforts to meet their aspirations and noble directives in following up and implementing the joint Gulf security decisions.
  
| | | HE GCCSG: The Valuable Joint Efforts of the Ministries of Interior in the GCC Countries have Resulted in Gulf Security Achievements that have Bolstered the State of Security and Stability in Our Nations | 2025 | | | | 11/10/2025 5:37 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 11/10/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the Trade and Investment Forum between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the GCC embodies their partnership spirit and builds bridges of cooperation between business leaders in the GCC countries and their counterparts in Egypt, "serving the interests of our peoples".
"This is based on the deep historical ties and shared cultural heritage that unite the two sides," His Excellency stated.
These remarks came during the inauguration of the Trade and Investment Forum between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the GCC, titled "A Roadmap to Strengthening Egyptian–Gulf Economic Cooperation," today, Monday, November 10, 2025, in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
The event was held under the patronage and presence of His Excellency Dr Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt; His Excellency Dr Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs; and His Excellency Khalifa Abdullah Al Ajeel, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the State of Kuwait.
The forum is jointly organised by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the GCC General Secretariat, in cooperation with the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of GCC Chambers.
It featured high-level participation from Their Excellencies Ministers and senior officials concerned with trade and investment files from GCC states and the Arab Republic of Egypt, along with a select group of major companies and business leaders from the GCC.
At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi extended his highest thanks and gratitude to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, for Egypt's hosting of this forum and for the facilities and support it has provided and continues to provide for the implementation of joint action plans agreed upon within the partnership framework between the GCC and Egypt.
Moreover, His Excellency expressed aspirations for further cohesion, cooperation, and integration to achieve the common interests of both parties. His Excellency also congratulated the Arab Republic of Egypt on the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. "This civilized and cultural edifice is one of the largest and most prominent museums in the world in the field of preserving and displaying human heritage," His Excellency highlighted.
During his speech, His Excellency noted that the Joint Action Plan for the period (2024–2028), which was approved during the 2nd ministerial meeting in March 2024, serves as a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing cooperation in various fields of common interest.
"What we are witnessing today is one of the fruits of this cooperation, embodied in the convening of this forum. It brings together an elite group of business leaders and investors from both sides to be an effective platform for strengthening economic and development partnerships and opening new horizons for the public and private sectors," His Excellency stated, adding: "This meeting also expresses the firm political will of our leaderships to build a more integrated and stable future, amid the rapid regional and international transformations the world is witnessing."
Furthermore, His Excellency pointed out that the trade relations between the GCC countries and the Arab Republic of Egypt have seen remarkable growth in recent years.
"The volume of trade exchange from 2016 to 2023 reached more than $167 billion, with expectations of increased trade rates between the two sides in the coming years. In the field of investments, Gulf investments in the Egyptian market rose to more than $40 billion during the fiscal year 2023–2024. These figures and indicators show the enormous potential we can achieve together by enhancing economic cooperation and integration. We are facing a historic opportunity today to strengthen our partnerships and expand the horizons of our cooperation in order to serve the interests of our peoples and supports the stability and prosperity of the region," His Excellency explained.
"This is what the GCC has sought to achieve with the Arab Republic of Egypt through holding several joint ministerial meetings and senior officials' meetings to discuss all regional and international issues and explore avenues of joint cooperation," His Excellency underscored.
His Excellency concluded his speech by emphasising that the strategic relations between Egypt and the GCC countries represent a fundamental pillar in the regional cooperation system.
"We are facing a promising opportunity today to enhance economic cooperation and establish partnerships that achieve prosperity for our peoples, based on the elements of strength and enormous potential we all possess that qualify us to create a more integrated future. Achieving our economic ambitions cannot be done by governments alone; true development is made by integrating the efforts of the public and private sectors. The private sector is, without a doubt, the authentic partner and the vital driver of the wheel of growth. This forum comes to embody the spirit of partnership, building bridges of cooperation between business leaders in the GCC countries and their counterparts in Egypt. This forum also comes as an exceptional opportunity to address the multiple challenges facing investors at all levels, by opening a frank and constructive dialogue about these challenges, including presenting the best ways to overcome and deal with these challenges by providing competitive incentives and guarantees for investors." His Excellency underlined.
  
| | | HE GCCSG: The Trade and Investment Forum Between Egypt & the GCC Embodies their Partnership Spirit & Builds Cooperation Bridges Among Business Leaders in GCC Countries and their Counterparts in Egypt, Serving the Interests of Our Peoples | 2025 | | | | 11/9/2025 12:38 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 11/9/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 | His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), confirmed that the extraordinary meeting of the Committee of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Tourism in the GCC countries reaffirmed the Council countries' support for the nomination of Her Excellency Ms Shaikha Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the post of Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Tourism Organisation for the period 2026-2029.
This came during the extraordinary meeting of the Committee of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Tourism, which was held on Sunday (November 9, 2025), in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
HE the Secretary General further stated that the Gulf consensus to support HE Ms Al Nowais embodies the continued influential presence of the GCC countries in international arenas, and reflects the efficiency of Gulf cadres and their ability to contribute to the development of the global tourism sector, while also confirming that supporting this nomination is consistent with the GCC countries’ direction towards enhancing the role of women and empowering them to assume leadership positions at the regional and international levels.
| | | HE GCCSG:Their Highnesses & Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Tourism in GCC Committee's Extraordinary Meeting Reaffirmed GCC States' Support for Nomination of UAE's HE Ms Shaikha Al Nowais for the UN Tourism Organisation's Secretary General Post | 2025 | | | | 11/9/2025 2:03 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 11/9/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 | His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), participated in the official opening of the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly under the theme "AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future," today, Sunday, November 9, 2025, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The event was attended by His Excellency Ahmed bin Aqeel Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and saw the participation of several ministers, senior officials, and specialists from various countries.
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly reflects its qualitative initiatives in enhancing joint international action and establishing a more prosperous and sustainable tourism ecosystem." His Excellency stated, praising the session's events and activities, which contribute to the exchange of experiences in the field of tourism.
"The GCC countries pay great attention to tourism and its related sectors, viewing it as a pivotal tributary for economic growth and the diversification of income sources." he added.
Furthermore, His Excellency highlighted the GCC countries' continuous keenness to develop advanced infrastructure and raise the quality of services in the tourism sector, in line with the rapid transformations in this vital sector, which contributes to consolidating their position as a leading global destination.
  
| | | HE GCCSG: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Hosting of the 26th Session of the UN Tourism General Assembly Reflects its Qualitative Initiatives in Enhancing Joint International Action & Establishing a More Prosperous & Sustainable Tourism Ecosystem | 2025 | | | | 11/6/2025 8:45 AM | نوره فريد السويدان | 11/6/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 |
Under the patronage and with the attendance of His Highness Shaikh Ahmad Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), participated in the 9th GCC-EU Business Forum.
The forum, themed "Together for Shared Prosperity," was organised by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), in partnership with the GCC General Secretariat and the European Union (EU), Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in Kuwait City.
At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi extended his highest sentiments of thanks and appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, for His Highness's generous support for the joint Gulf action and for Kuwait's hosting of this forum. He praised the continuous facilities and support Kuwait provides for the success of the GCC's efforts in various fields.
Moreover, His Excellency affirmed that GCC-European relations represent a firm model of strategic partnership, extending back to the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the two sides in 1988.
He noted that this partnership has developed remarkably in trade, investment, energy, education, and the environment, and that the Joint Work Programme (2022-2027) established a new phase of cooperation in political, economic, security, and development fields.
"The GCC-EU Summit held in Brussels in 2024 confirmed the commitment of both sides to bolstering trade and investment cooperation and moving towards a free trade agreement between the GCC and the EU. The joint ministerial meetings following the summit resulted in practical steps to strengthen the partnership in sustainable development, intellectual property rights, and diversifying supply chains." His Excellency explained.
His Excellency also reviewed several economic indicators for the GCC states, including the GCC's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which reached $2.3 trillion in 2024, ranking ninth globally. Meanwhile, the assets of Gulf sovereign wealth funds exceeded $4.8 trillion. He indicated that the GCC states continue to solidify their position as a global economic power in oil and natural gas production, and in diversifying income sources and promoting sustainable growth.
"The volume of trade exchange between the GCC and the EU reached $197 billion in 2024, making the EU one of the most important trading partners for the GCC states. European foreign direct investment (FDI) stock in the GCC states reached $285 billion, reflecting the deep confidence in the Gulf business environment." His Excellency pointed out.
In concluding his speech, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi called for continuing to build on the existing momentum between the two sides by enhancing cooperation in clean energy, green hydrogen, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and innovation.
He underscored that the GCC-European partnership is capable of contributing to achieving common prosperity and a brighter future for both regions.
  
| | | HE GCCSG: GCC-European Relations Represent a Firm Model of Strategic Partnership Dating Back to the 1988 Cooperation Agreement | 2025 | | | | 11/6/2025 8:55 AM | نوره فريد السويدان | 11/6/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), met with His Excellency Mr Maroš Šefčovič, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and for Institutional Relations and Transparency, Wednesday, November 6, 2025, in Kuwait City. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 9th GCC-EU Economic Forum.
During the meeting, several economic and commercial topics were discussed, along with ways to enhance GCC-European relations in areas and priorities of common interest.
Both sides affirmed their aspiration to strengthen relations and build numerous partnerships in various fields between the Cooperation Council and the EU.
| | | HE GCCSG Discusses Ways to Enhance Economic Relations with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security | 2025 | | | | 11/6/2025 3:33 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 11/6/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that organising and hosting the training programme on legal integration among regional blocs, in partnership with The Hague Academy of International Law, comes within the framework of the General Secretariat's efforts to benefit from regional and international experiences in the fields of legal and economic integration.
This came during His Excellency's patronage and attendance at the closing ceremony of the training programme, held today, Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh.
During his speech, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi expressed his profound appreciation to The Hague Academy and the participating experts and lecturers for their qualitative contributions that enriched the programme's academic content.
He also valued the active participation of the member state representatives, which reflected the spirit of cooperation and integration among the GCC states.
Moreover, His Excellency underlined that the programme's organisation is part of the General Secretariat's efforts to learn from regional and international experiences in legal and economic integration. He noted that reviewing successful models from the European Union (EU), Africa, Latin America, and Asia contributes to strengthening the institutional structure and developing the Gulf legal framework in line with best international practices.
His Excellency explained that the programme represents a new step in the long trajectory of constructive collaboration between the General Secretariat and institutions of international law. He emphasised the GCC's keenness on developing specialised Gulf capacities and supporting initiatives that contribute to enhancing joint legal and economic work.
At the conclusion of the event, His Excellency praised the distinguished efforts made by the General Secretariat for Legislative and Legal Affairs in organising this programme.
He expressed his appreciation to The Hague Academy and all participants, wishing them success and hoping that the academic gains from this programme will be reflected in the development of legal work within the GCC system.
  
| | | HE GCCSG: Organising the Training Programme on Legal Integration with The Hague Academy is Part of the General Secretariat's Efforts to Benefit from Regional and International Experiences in Legal and Economic Integration | 2025 | | | | 11/5/2025 12:07 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 11/5/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), met with Her Excellency Ms Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, today, Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in the Qatari capital, Doha. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2nd World Summit for Social Development.
During the meeting, several topics were discussed, most notably a review of the latest developments in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two sides.
They also discussed strengthening GCC-Vietnamese cooperation in fields and priorities of common interest, within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the GCC and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 2023.
Both sides underlined their aspiration to enhance Gulf-Vietnamese links and build a strategic partnership. They also followed up on the latest developments on the regional and international arenas.
| | | HE GCCSG Discusses Progress on the Free Trade Agreement with HE the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam | 2025 | | | | 11/5/2025 1:15 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 11/5/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the GCC states give strategic priority to digital transformation in their national visions.
"This comes from their recognition of the importance of modern technology in upgrading economic growth, achieving sustainable development, and enabling societies to have equal access to future opportunities." His Excellency stated.
These remarks were made during His Excellency the GCC Secretary General's participation in a session organised by the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) titled "Bridging the Global Digital Divide." The session was held on the sidelines of the 2nd World Summit for Social Development today, Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in the Qatari capital, Doha, with the participation of several representatives from countries, regional and international organisations, as well as experts and specialists in this field.
At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi praised the role of DCO, headed by Her Excellency Ms Deemah AlYahya, Secretary General of the DCO. He commended the launch of their Digital Economy Index report, which is considered one of the most prominent global initiatives for measuring countries' progress in digital transformation and enabling a knowledge-based economy, contributing to the formulation of more effective policies for more connected and digitally balanced societies.
His Excellency pointed out that the GCC region represents an advanced model in investing in the digital economy, whether through developing telecommunications infrastructure, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, or enhancing integration between Gulf digital markets.
"This is part of the efforts aimed at building a unified Gulf digital market that enhances competitiveness and opens new horizons." His Excellency stated.
His Excellency the GCC Secretary General concluded his speech by stressing that the Cooperation Council will continue to support international initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide and strengthening regional and international partnerships in this field.
"This aligns with the aspirations of the leaders of the GCC countries towards a prosperous and sustainable digital future." His Excellency pointed out.
 
| | | HE GCCSG: GCC Countries Give Strategic Priority to Digital Transformation in Their National Visions, Recognising the Importance of Modern Technology in Enhancing Economic Growth and Achieving Sustainable Development | 2025 | | | | 11/5/2025 2:39 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 11/5/2025 | Secretary General | | 11 | His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the Gulf woman has moved from the stage of empowerment to the stage of actual impact in policy-making and decision-making. This, he said, came in light of the GCC states' adoption of an integrated system of Gulf initiatives and strategies.
These remarks were made during His Excellency's speech at the event titled "Women at the Heart of Development: From Empowerment to Impact". The event was held on the sidelines of the 2nd World Summit for Social Development, today, Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in the Qatari capital, Doha, with the participation of several ministers, representatives of countries, regional and international organisations, and experts in the field.
At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency expressed his profound thanks and appreciation to Her Excellency Dr Laila bint Ahmed bin Awad Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development in the Sultanate of Oman, for her initiative in organising the event in partnership with the State of Kuwait and the GCC General Secretariat.
"The GCC states, under the leadership of Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the Cooperation Council, have made women's empowerment a fundamental pillar in national and Gulf development strategies, including the GCC Joint Action Strategy for Women's Affairs (2024–2030)." His Excellency said.
Moreover, he pointed to statistics from the GCC Statistical Centre, which reflect the qualitative development in the participation of Gulf women. He noted that the percentage of female employees in the government sector exceeds 40%, and in the private sector, over 39%.
"Meanwhile, women occupy about 49% of leadership positions in the government sector and 31% in the private sector, alongside a prominent diplomatic representation, reaching 41% of ambassadorial posts in some GCC states." His Excellency explained.
Additionally, His Excellency clarified that these figures embody the success of Gulf women in the comprehensive development journey and confirm their influential presence in various sectors. He also underlined the importance of continuing to support and empower women in technology, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship, and elevating their participation in executive leadership positions.
In concluding his speech, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi underscored that empowering Gulf women is empowering the nations, and that their achievements have become a fundamental pillar in shaping the future of the GCC states and accomplishing sustainable prosperity.
 
| | | HE GCCSG: Gulf Woman has Moved from Empowerment to Actual Impact in Policy-making & Decision-making, Driven by an Integrated System of Gulf Initiatives & Strategies | 2025 |
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