|  | | 9/11/2026 11:31 PM |  وليد الدغباسي | 9/11/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned in the strongest terms the targeting of the East-West Pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by several drones originating from Iraqi territory, which resulted in casualties and material damage.
His Excellency underscored that this attack represents a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable threat to the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its territorial integrity, and its vital installations, as well as a flagrant violation of the principles of international law. He reiterated the GCC's categorical rejection of all actions targeting the Kingdom's security, stability, and national assets.
Moreover, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General stressed the importance of the Iraqi government intensifying its efforts and taking the necessary, decisive measures to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for such attacks, working to halt them and deter their recurrence in order to safeguard regional security and stability and spare the region further escalation.
Concluding his statement, His Excellency reaffirmed the GCC's complete and steadfast solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its full support for all measures and actions the Kingdom takes to protect its security, stability, territorial integrity, facilities, citizens, and residents.
| | | HE GCCSG Condemns in Strongest Terms Drone Attack Targeting East-West Pipeline in Saudi Arabia Originating from Iraq | 2026 | | | | 9/10/2026 11:59 AM | وليد الدغباسي | 9/10/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 | His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underlined that the ambition for the upcoming stage focuses on maximising the impact of the municipal sector and translating the outcomes of joint Gulf action into tangible practices and applications across member states.
His Excellency added that this approach will bolster the efficiency of municipal services, expand the utilisation of successful experiences and innovative solutions, and accelerate the adoption of modern technologies to achieve more sustainable, efficient, and resilient cities capable of keeping pace with future developments and needs.
His Excellency’s remarks were made during the 29th Meeting of the Committee of Their Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Municipal Affairs in the GCC member states, held today, Thursday (10 September 2026), in the Bahraini capital, Manama.
The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Eng. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Committee Responsible for Municipal Affairs in the GCC States, with the attendance of Their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Municipal Affairs.
At the outset of his address, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General extended his highest expressions of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain and President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, for the Kingdom of Bahrain's hosting of the meeting, the facilities and continuous support provided to ensure the success of the GCC's work, and the steadfast patronage accorded to joint Gulf action by His Majesty alongside Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC States across all fields.
"Municipal work occupies an integral position within the development ecosystem of the GCC states, directly impacting the daily lives of citizens and residents across urban planning, the urban environment, building regulations, and the development of cities, services, and utilities. Amidst rapid urban growth and qualitative development projects across the GCC, municipal action has become an essential enabler for elevating quality of life, enhancing urban sustainability, and bolstering the capacity of cities to adapt to future changes," His Excellency explained.
In the same context, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General pointed out that the GCC member states have made significant strides in advancing joint municipal work through numerous initiatives, programmes, and guiding frameworks that facilitate knowledge sharing and the adoption of proven models.
"The launch of the GCC Urban Research Centre represents a major milestone towards harnessing scientific research, data, and specialised expertise to support urban planning and municipal decision-making across member states, establishing a unified Gulf knowledge base to advance cities and address future challenges," His Excellency underscored.
"Modern technologies are occupying an expanding role within joint municipal efforts, particularly through initiatives deploying artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in urban planning and smart, sustainable city development," he stated.
Concluding his remarks, His Excellency noted that the launch of the 7th cycle of the GCC Municipal Award (2027–2028), themed "Smart Solutions in Municipal Work", reaffirms the commitment to fostering innovation, exchanging pioneering practices, and broadening the application of modern solutions across the municipal landscape in the GCC states.
| | | HE GCCSG: Our Ambition for Upcoming Stage Focuses on Maximising Impact of Municipal Sector and Transforming Joint Gulf Outcomes into Tangible Practices Towards More Sustainable, Efficient, and Resilient Cities | 2026 | | | | 9/10/2026 1:13 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 9/10/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the region's ambition is not limited to having six leading individual tourism destinations, but extends to establishing an interconnected Gulf tourism ecosystem that is diverse in destinations, integrated in opportunities, and united in ambition.
His Excellency’s remarks were made during the 10th Meeting of the Committee of Their Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Tourism in the GCC Member States, held today, Thursday (10 September 2026), in the Bahraini capital, Manama. The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Ms Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Chairperson of the current session of the Ministerial Committee Responsible for Tourism in the GCC States, with the attendance of Their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Tourism.
At the outset of his address, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General extended his highest expressions of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain and President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, for the Kingdom of Bahrain's hosting of the meeting, the facilities and continuous support provided to ensure the success of the GCC's work, and the steadfast patronage accorded to joint Gulf action by His Majesty alongside Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC States across all fields.
"The meeting of the Ministerial Committee Responsible for Tourism in the GCC States convened amidst rapid regional challenges and crises that have cast a shadow over vital economic sectors—most notably tourism, which is intrinsically linked to travel movement, transport, market stability, and traveller confidence," His Excellency explained.
He added that these challenges arise at a time when Gulf tourism has achieved substantial milestones and expanded its contribution to GCC economies, making the preservation of this momentum and the enhancement of its crisis-resilience a top priority for the upcoming phase.
In the same context, His Excellency pointed out that recent developments have demonstrated the significance of the GCC's advanced infrastructure, robust security and regulatory frameworks, agile institutional capacities, and effective inter-GCC coordination mechanisms, which collectively contributed to sustaining tourism continuity and travel flows.
Reviewing key indicators reflecting the positive momentum across the Gulf tourism sector in 2025, His Excellency highlighted that GCC member states welcomed more than 75 million inbound tourists, recording a 4.8% growth, while total tourism expenditure exceeded USD 131 billion compared to approximately USD 120 billion in 2024.
Furthermore, intra-GCC tourism surpassed 20 million travellers, representing an increase of 3.6% compared to 2024, and the direct and indirect contribution of tourism to GCC economies reached approximately USD 254 billion, accounting for 11.4% of total GDP.
His Excellency the GCC Secretary General stressed that these figures do not merely represent indicators of growth, but reflect vital developmental and economic gains, adding: "The collective responsibility extends beyond building upon them to safeguarding and sustaining them amidst shifting conditions, in alignment with the targets of the GCC Tourism Strategy 2023–2030."
Moreover, His Excellency pointed out that recent developments have proven that the true strength of the sector is measured not solely by growth rates, but by its ability to preserve confidence and operational continuity across all circumstances, stating: "The tangible value of joint Gulf action was evident in how relevant authorities activated direct coordination mechanisms to sustain travel flows and air, land, and maritime connectivity, while accelerating information sharing and unified response."
"Moving forward, the upcoming stage requires focusing on three main tracks: first, protecting sector gains while enhancing resilience and readiness; second, accelerating the execution of joint Gulf initiatives and projects alongside fostering intra-GCC tourism; and third, deepening regional tourism integration to maximise the benefits of the GCC's diverse assets and elevate its standing as an interconnected, globally competitive tourism ecosystem," His Excellency concluded.
| | | HE GCCSG: GCC States Strive to Become Leading Interconnected Tourism Ecosystem, Diverse in Destinations, Integrated in Opportunities, and United in Ambition | 2026 | | | | 9/10/2026 2:08 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 9/10/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 |
Stemming from the keenness of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to strengthen joint GCC action and consolidate the region’s position as a leading global tourism destination, Their Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Tourism in the GCC states held their 10th meeting in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, on September 10, 2026.
The Ministers reviewed the latest developments in the GCC tourism sector, affirming the high level of resilience it has demonstrated and its ability to recover from the effects of recent regional developments and adapt to the challenges associated with them, reflecting the strength of the GCC tourism ecosystem and the efficiency of the tourism infrastructure and services in the Cooperation Council states.
They also discussed the latest developments in the implementation of joint GCC tourism initiatives and projects, ways to enhance tourism integration, develop joint promotional and marketing efforts, support intra-GCC tourism, and raise the competitiveness of the GCC tourism sector, in a manner that contributes to achieving SDGs and diversifying the national economies of the GCC states.
Resilience of the GCC Tourism Sector and Prospects for Growth
The Ministers affirmed that the GCC tourism sector enjoys a high level of resilience and a growing ability to address regional and international challenges and developments, supported by diverse tourism offerings, advanced infrastructure, quality investments, and an environment conducive to growth and sustainability.
They noted that current indicators reflect the continued attractiveness of the GCC states to visitors from around the world, with positive expectations for continued growth in the coming years, supported by major tourism projects, international events, and growing investments in the tourism, culture, entertainment and sports sectors, in addition to the expansion of air connectivity and the facilitation of travel and mobility procedures.
Enhancing GCC Tourism Readiness and Integration
The Ministers stressed that the security and stability enjoyed by the GCC states, together with their advanced legislative and regulatory frameworks and world-class infrastructure, constitute a solid foundation for enhancing the sustainability of tourism development and increasing the confidence of investors and visitors.
They also explained that the GCC tourism ecosystem is based on an integrated network of airports, airlines and advanced tourism facilities, in addition to the hosting and organisation of major events, conferences and global gatherings, which enhances the readiness of the sector and its ability to keep pace with various developments.
The Ministers commended the efforts exerted by the tourism authorities in the GCC states, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the GCC, to enhance joint coordination, exchange information and expertise, and follow up on the latest developments in the sector, stressing that these efforts have contributed to strengthening the resilience of the GCC tourism sector, maintaining the confidence of visitors and investors, and sustaining its growth.
Joint Promotion and Development of GCC Initiatives
The Ministers affirmed the importance of continuing coordination and integration among the tourism authorities in the GCC states, in cooperation with the General Secretariat, in a way that bolsters the efficiency of joint efforts and consolidates the position of the Cooperation Council states on the global tourism map. In this regard, they approved the tourism sector recovery plan, which includes a number of initiatives that would contribute to restoring momentum to the tourism sector in the GCC states.
In this context, they commended the progress achieved in a number of joint initiatives and projects, and agreed to continue working to accelerate the implementation of relevant priorities and projects, in a manner that supports the recovery of the tourism sector and enhances its growth and sustainability.
They also underlined the importance of continuing coordination in the areas of supporting the tourism sector, elevating joint tourism promotion, developing tourism programmes and products, coordinating media efforts, and advancing the tourism data and statistics system, in addition to supporting innovation, digital transformation and human capacity development, in a manner that keeps pace with requirements and developments and enhances tourism integration among the GCC states.
Supporting the Re-Nomination of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Membership of the Executive Council of UN Tourism
Their Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Tourism in the GCC states welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s submission of its request for re-nomination for membership of the Executive Council of United Nations Tourism for the period 2027–2031. They underscored the full support of the GCC states for this candidacy for the Middle East region, in appreciation of the pivotal role played by the Kingdom in developing the tourism sector, bolstering international cooperation in the field of tourism, and its active contributions to supporting the work of the Organisation and achieving its objectives.
Conclusion
The Ministers renewed their affirmation of the significance of continuing joint action to enhance GCC tourism integration and build a more competitive and sustainable sector that contributes effectively to diversifying national economies and achieving the targets of the visions and development strategies of the GCC states.
They also affirmed their confidence in the ability of the GCC states to address regional and international challenges and developments and mitigate their impact on the tourism sector, supported by their solid economic and tourism fundamentals, advanced infrastructure, and the levels of security, stability and integration they enjoy, asserting that this further cements the confidence of visitors and investors and consolidates the region’s position as a leading global tourism destination.
| | | GCC Joint Statement Issued by the 10th Meeting of Their Excellencies the Ministers Responsible for Tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council States | 2026 | | | | 9/9/2026 10:51 AM | وليد الدغباسي | 9/9/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 | His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), welcomed the joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, which rejected the settlement expansion policies of the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied Palestinian territories and supported steps to prevent trade linked to settlements deemed illegal under international law.
His Excellency stated that the joint statement represents a significant international stance against settlement expansion, affirming that the practices of the Israeli occupation forces aimed at creating new facts on the ground cannot establish any legitimate right or alter the legal status of the occupied Palestinian territories.
He further pointed out that moving beyond declarations of rejection towards exploring practical measures against settlement-linked activities will bolster international efforts to safeguard the rights of the Palestinian people and preserve the viable foundations for establishing their independent state.
Concluding his statement, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General reiterated the GCC's steadfast position on the Palestinian cause and its full support for the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, foremost among them the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.
| | | HE GCCSG Welcomes Joint Statement Issued by Foreign Ministers of the UK, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden Rejecting Israeli Settlement Expansion in Occupied Palestinian Territories | 2026 | | | | 9/8/2026 9:13 AM | شوق عبدالعزيز الزنيدي | 9/8/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), strongly and unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi group against the south of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its deliberate targeting of civilians, national assets, civilian infrastructure, and civilian objects, which resulted in civilian injuries.
He noted that these attacks were carried out in flagrant violation of all international laws and norms, and with deliberate disregard for the security and safety of civilians and regional stability.
Moreover, His Excellency underlined that these recurring attacks once again expose the malicious intent of the Houthi group and demonstrate its explicit rejection of all efforts and endeavours aimed at achieving peace and stability in the brotherly Republic of Yemen.
"Targeting civilian installations and national capabilities is a condemned terrorist act that cannot be justified or tolerated under any pretext. The Houthi group's persistence in these hostile practices represents a blatant challenge to the international community and a direct threat to regional and international peace and security," His Excellency stressed.
He further underscored the urgent need for the international community to adopt a firm and deterrent stance against these violations, hold perpetrators and their backers accountable, and halt this ongoing terrorist conduct that jeopardises regional security and the interests of its peoples.
Concluding his statement, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General reiterated that the GCC member states stand united alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, expressing full solidarity with the Kingdom in confronting all threats to its security, stability, sovereignty, and national capabilities. He reaffirmed total GCC support for all measures and actions taken by the Kingdom to protect its territory, citizens, and residents, wishing the injured a swift and full recovery.
| | | HE GCCSG Strongly Condemns Deliberate Houthi Terrorist Attacks Targeting Civilians and Facilities in Southern Saudi Arabia, Underscoring They Embody Extremist Criminal Approach Threatening Regional Security and Stability | 2026 | | | | 9/8/2026 1:50 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 9/8/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underlined that the GCC member states are advancing towards building an interconnected Gulf tourism investment ecosystem.
"This approach transcends attracting capital to standalone projects or individual destinations by linking the tourism sector directly with aviation, infrastructure, hospitality, technology, entertainment, and investment capital, thereby elevating the competitiveness of the GCC states and consolidating investor confidence across their markets," His Excellency added.
His Excellency’s remarks came during his participation in the High-Level Public-Private Dialogue on Tourism Investment, themed "Destination Competitiveness and Investor Confidence: Tourism Markets in a Dynamic Global Environment", held within the AIM Congress, today, Tuesday (8 September 2026), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"Amidst rapid global shifts, investor confidence is no longer tied solely to market fundamentals, but is also shaped by risk perceptions," His Excellency explained. He pointed out that capital today seeks reliable institutions, clear and predictable regulations, trustworthy data, and the proven capacity of destinations to effectively manage disruptions while maintaining resilience and competitiveness in an evolving global landscape.
"Tourism has become a central pillar of economic diversification in the GCC states, serving as an expanding engine for investment, employment, and growth, while supporting a broad economic ecosystem spanning aviation, hospitality, transport, retail, entertainment, technology, and infrastructure," His Excellency stated.
Reviewing key indicators reflecting the scale and momentum of tourism investment opportunities across the GCC, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General indicated that the GCC member states welcomed approximately 75 million tourists in 2025, recording a 4.8% growth, with tourist spending exceeding USD 130 billion compared to around USD 37 billion in 2020. Furthermore, intra-GCC tourist arrivals surpassed 20 million visitors in 2025, marking an increase of nearly 3.6% compared to 2024.
His Excellency added that the direct and indirect contribution of the tourism sector to GCC economies surpassed USD 254 billion in 2025, accounting for 11.4% of total GDP and outperforming the global average of 10.3%. He indicated that tourism ranks among the fastest-growing sectors, with its economic contribution across the GCC recording an average annual growth rate of approximately 7.3% between 2019 and 2025, compared to 6.7% globally.
"Effective coordination among the GCC member states represents a vital element in sustaining connectivity, seamless mobility, and rapid responsiveness in the face of external developments and challenges. During periods of disruption, relevant authorities across the GCC activated direct coordination mechanisms to maintain travel flows and air connectivity, with the Emergency Air Traffic Management Coordination Team convening more than 65 meetings that facilitated rapid information exchange and unified decision-making," His Excellency emphasised.
Moreover, His Excellency clarified that the significance of this experience extends beyond the aviation sector, demonstrating that the GCC states possess the institutional mechanisms required to coordinate, respond, and ensure business continuity under challenging conditions.
He asserted that resilience and institutional alignment are no longer merely crisis management tools, but foundational investment assets that bolster destination appeal and entrench investor trust.
Furthermore, His Excellency affirmed that Gulf integration constitutes one of the GCC's greatest strengths and competitive advantages, stating: "Each member state has developed distinct tourism assets, ambitious strategies, and world-class destinations, fostering deeper connectivity, ease of movement, and joint tourism initiatives. This provides international investors with opportunities that go beyond a single destination into a broader Gulf market characterised by rising demand, world-class infrastructure, robust global connectivity, substantial investment capacity, and ambitious national visions."
His Excellency concluded by emphasising that the GCC's message is clear: member states should not merely be viewed as six leading individual tourism destinations, but rather as a unified, increasingly interconnected investment ecosystem founded on three core pillars: diversity in destinations, integration in opportunities, and unity in ambition.
"The ambition is not limited to establishing the GCC as one of the world's most prominent tourism regions, but extends to making it one of the most attractive, reliable, and competitive environments globally for tourism investment. Capital pursues opportunity, but settles where confidence resides. The responsibility of the GCC states is to ensure that exceptional tourism growth is matched with institutional credibility, policy clarity and stability, regional integration, and investor confidence capable of sustaining this momentum for decades to come," His Excellency summed up.
  
| | | HE GCCSG: GCC States Advance Towards Building Interconnected Tourism Investment Ecosystem Bolstering Investor Confidence and Regional Competitiveness | 2026 | | | | 9/7/2026 8:30 AM | وليد الدغباسي | 9/7/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 | His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, received His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), on Sunday (6 September 2026), in Riyadh.
During the meeting, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General briefed His Royal Highness on the efforts exerted by the General Secretariat, in collaboration with the member states, to follow up on the implementation of the decisions and directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the Leaders of the GCC member states, adopted at the 19th Consultative Meeting of the GCC Supreme Council, as well as the achievements realised in coordination with the relevant authorities across the member states.
His Excellency the GCC Secretary General also expressed his profound thanks and appreciation for the significant efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting and bolstering the journey of joint Gulf action, and its continuous backing for the work of the General Secretariat and its affiliated offices and entities.
| | | HRH Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd, Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Receives HE GCCSG | 2026 | | | | 9/7/2026 2:02 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 9/7/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 |
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underscored that the GCC member states are advancing at an accelerated pace towards consolidating their position on the global economic and investment map, underpinned by robust economies, growing Gulf integration, broad openness to the world, and sustained investment in sectors of the future.
His Excellency’s remarks came during his participation in the 15th edition of the AIM Congress (AIM Investment Summit), held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, themed "Reshaping Global Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future."
At the outset of his address, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General extended his highest expressions of thanks and appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the UAE's continuous efforts in promoting international economic and investment dialogue, as well as contributing to consolidating the GCC's presence and standing on the regional and international stages.
"The global economy is undergoing a phase of dynamic transformations amid the restructuring of supply chains, rapid advancements in emerging technologies, in addition to the increasing weight of geopolitical considerations in investment decisions," His Excellency said, adding: "Opportunities alone are no longer sufficient to attract capital, as economic resilience, institutional efficiency, strategic clarity, and the capacity for growth and adaptation have become decisive factors guiding investment decisions."
Moreover, His Excellency explained that the GCC states possess solid economic fundamentals, substantial financial and investment capabilities, well-established institutions, clear development visions, and economies advancing rapidly towards greater diversification and integration. He underscored that exceptional regional developments over the past period have demonstrated the resilience of GCC economies and their capacity to maintain market and infrastructure stability while pressing ahead with development plans and strategic projects.
"The progress witnessed across the GCC states today is the fruit of an enduring journey of joint Gulf action since the Council’s establishment in 1981, encompassing the Free Trade Area, the Customs Union, and the GCC Common Market, alongside joint strategic projects in energy, transport, and infrastructure, reaching advanced levels of macroeconomic and investment policy coordination," His Excellency highlighted.
Furthermore, His Excellency pointed out that the GCC member states now constitute an interconnected economic and investment bloc, with the Gulf economy ranking among the top ten economies globally, boasting a GDP of approximately USD 2.4 trillion, sovereign wealth fund assets exceeding USD 5 trillion, and total commercial bank assets reaching around USD 3.9 trillion in 2025.
"The ambitious national visions of the GCC states have reshaped the regional economic landscape, expanded the role of the private sector, elevated the legislative and regulatory framework, and unlocked vast horizons for investment in future sectors—foremost among them artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, renewable energy, future industries, transport and logistics, tourism, financial services, and the knowledge economy," His Excellency noted.
In addition, His Excellency emphasised that investment flows represent one of the clearest indicators of the deepening interconnection among GCC economies. He indicated that the total inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock in the GCC reached approximately USD 792.7 billion in 2025, of which around USD 171.4 billion constituted intra-GCC investments, accounting for nearly 22% of the total FDI stock.
"These indicators reflect an advanced degree of economic cohesion, demonstrating that Gulf integration has itself become a powerful catalyst for investment, with Gulf capital increasingly circulating across member states to build cross-border projects, business networks, and supply chains, in tandem with the GCC economies' expanding integration into global markets," His Excellency underlined.
In conclusion, His Excellency said that the future of investment in the GCC states rests on an equation comprising robust economies, deeper integration, global openness, and forward-looking investments, reaffirming that the GCC remains open to the world and aspires to forge long-term investment partnerships that deliver shared benefits.
His Excellency called upon global investors and partners to view the GCC states not merely as an investment destination, but as a strategic partner in shaping the future of global investment—rooted in trust, partnership, knowledge, and innovation—to achieve sustainable development and shared prosperity.
 
| | | HE GCCSG: GCC Integration Has Become a Driver of Investment; Member States Advance Towards Consolidating Standing on Global Economic and Investment Map | 2026 | | | | 9/7/2026 4:11 PM | وليد الدغباسي | 9/7/2026 | Secretary General | | 9 | His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the GCC member states have moved beyond their role as energy suppliers and have become an influential partner in shaping the global economic and political landscape. He noted that viewing the Gulf region solely through the lens of oil and energy no longer reflects the scale of the transformations witnessed across the GCC states, nor their growing standing in the global economy, trade, investment, technology, and supply chains.
His Excellency’s remarks came during his participation in the opening panel discussion of the third edition of the Hili Forum, organised by the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) and the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), today, Monday (7 September 2026), in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
His Excellency the GCC Secretary General highlighted that energy and energy security remain fundamental pillars of the global economy, with the GCC states producing around 16.6 million barrels of crude oil per day, representing approximately 22.2% of global production. He further underlined that the economic transformations witnessed by the GCC states have contributed to diversifying their production bases, with the non-oil sector now accounting for more than 78% of the GCC economy and recording a growth of 5.3% in 2025.
"The GDP of the GCC states reached around USD 2.4 trillion, while the assets of GCC sovereign wealth funds are close to USD 5 trillion. In addition, foreign merchandise trade reached around USD 1.6 trillion in 2024. These indicators reflect the transition of the GCC states from being major energy suppliers to active partners in shaping the future of the global economy and enhancing its stability and prosperity," His Excellency explained.
Moreover, His Excellency stated that the foreign policies of the GCC states are built on mutual respect and a genuine commitment to the principles of good neighbourliness, in accordance with international and UN principles and laws.
During his address, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General also touched upon GCC cooperation and integration since the beginning of the treacherous Iranian attacks against the GCC states last February, as well as the high level of coordination among member states to overcome the risks of these attacks, ensure that the daily lives of their peoples remain unaffected, and strengthen logistical connectivity among all GCC states.
"The GCC has become a model to be emulated among countries and regional and international organisations around the world. Despite the relatively short period since the establishment of the Council, its states have achieved significant and valuable accomplishments across many areas for their peoples, and many regional and global blocs are seeking to establish relations and cooperation with the GCC," His Excellency added.
His Excellency the GCC Secretary General concluded his address by affirming that continuous coordination among member states on regional and international issues and developments represents a fundamental pillar in addressing challenges, as well as in dealing with all regional and international changes.
 
| | | HE GCCSG: GCC States Have Moved Beyond Their Role as Energy Suppliers to Become Influential Partner in Shaping Global Economic and Political Landscape | 2026 |
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