His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the Gulf achievements in the field of transportation and communications clearly embody the depth of the process of integration among the GCC states and reflect the fruits of the wise policies adopted since the inception of the Cooperation Council.
His Excellency highlighted that Article 23 of the Economic Agreement stipulates that member states shall take measures to integrate aviation and air transport policies among them, and that member states shall work to develop and integrate land and sea transportation methods to facilitate the movement of citizens and goods and achieve economies of scale.
His Excellency the Secretary General’s statements came during the 27th meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee of Transport and Communications, held on Thursday (October 23, 2025) in Kuwait City. The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Dr Noura Mohammed Al Mashaan, Minister of Public Works of the State of Kuwait, president of the current session, and attended by Their Excellencies the Ministers, members of the Committee from the GCC states.
At the outset of his speech, His Excellency the Secretary General expressed his deepest gratitude, appreciation and appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, for hosting the meeting, for the facilities and support that the State of Kuwait has provided and continues to provide to ensure the success of the GCC's work, and for the support and attention that joint Gulf action receives from His Highness and his brothers, Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states, in all fields.
Moreover, His Excellency stated during the speech that the Cooperation Council's journey has achieved major and numerous accomplishments, and that the directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states always emphasise the necessity of advancing towards greater integration.
"This is in a manner that keeps pace with the aspirations and ambitions of GCC citizens, which surpass those accomplishments, and sets a challenge for us all to realise these hopes and ambitions," His Excellency stated.
He added that this, at the same time, represents a strong motivation to deepen the gains achieved and enhance the stages of integration accomplished among the member states.
His Excellency also noted that the Supreme Council, in its 45th session (Kuwait, December 2024), underlined the importance of the member states completing their regulatory procedures for the general agreement to connect the GCC states via the railway project.
His Excellency also pointed to some of the gains achieved by the GCC states in the field of transport and transportation, including that the GCC states surpassed the global average for logistics performance competitiveness in 2023, according to indicators issued by the World Bank.
"Additionally, the GCC states have issued more than 5,700 Gulf standard specifications and technical regulations for the construction of connecting roads and main roads in the member states as of 2024. Furthermore, in 2024, they are ranked among the top 21 global emerging and leading markets in terms of logistics competitiveness, business environment, and digital readiness. These are factors that enhance the attractiveness of GCC markets for logistics service providers, freight forwarders, and air and maritime transport companies. The main seaports in the GCC states now number over 25, and there are more than 23 international airports. The Unified Maritime Operations Centre was established as one of the fruits of the fraternal cohesion and close bonding of the GCC states to protect regional waters, ensure freedom of maritime navigation, and provide security, safety, and stability in the GCC region. This affirms our effective position at the regional and international levels, and our growing role in leading and guiding the course of the global economy." His Excellency highlighted.
