His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation represents an important platform for strengthening relations between the two sides and exchanging viewpoints on regional and international issues of common interest, including threats to regional and global security.
His Excellency's remarks came during the 8th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation, held today, Thursday, September 11, 2025, in the Russian city of Sochi. The meeting was co-chaired by His Excellency Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait and President of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council, and His Excellency Mr Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Present in the meeting were Their Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the GCC countries.
His Excellency the Secretary General began his speech by condemning in the strongest terms of denunciation and censure the brutal aggression by the forces of the Israeli occupation authority on the territory of the State of Qatar. He stated this constitutes a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contravenes international principles and laws, and the Charter of the United Nations.
He added that the GCC countries, at the same time, stand in full solidarity with the State of Qatar, will devote all their capabilities to confront this sinful aggression, and demand that the international community condemn it and put an end to the repeated Israeli violations that undermine the region's security and stability.
At the same time, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi praised the efforts made by the security authorities, civil defense, and competent bodies in the State of Qatar in their immediate handling of the incident, containing its repercussions, and safeguarding the safety of citizens and residents.
He stated that this aggression undermines the good efforts and endeavors undertaken by the State of Qatar as part of its mediation to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release the hostages and detainees. "It constitutes a serious obstacle to international and regional efforts aimed at establishing peace in the Middle East region," His Excellency stated. In the same context, he praised the many efforts the State of Qatar has made and continues to make towards a ceasefire in Gaza and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Furthermore, His Excellency pointed out that this meeting comes amidst circumstances marred by numerous crises facing the region and the world, including political and security challenges that affect security and stability.
"In this context, the GCC countries affirm that the optimal way to resolve all conflicts and disputes is through negotiations, peaceful and diplomatic means, prioritising the language of dialogue, and respecting the rule of law, in accordance with international laws that ensure the preservation of security and stability and the achievement of greater prosperity and development," His Excellency underlined.
His Excellency noted the continuation of Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, the crime of genocide being committed against the population of the Gaza Strip, the deliberate policy of siege that has led to famine in the Strip, as well as the continued destruction of residential neighbourhoods, hospitals, schools, universities, mosques, and churches, all of which aim to displace the Strip's population and settle it.
He added, "We condemn the continued targeting by Israeli occupation forces of humanitarian and UN organisations working in the Gaza Strip and the obstruction of access for relief and humanitarian aid. We call on the international community to assume its responsibilities to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people, ensure the secure delivery of humanitarian and relief aid and basic necessities to the Strip's population, and enable humanitarian and UN organisations to perform their humanitarian tasks."
His Excellency emphasised Security Council Resolution 2730 regarding the protection of humanitarian personnel and ensuring unhindered access for aid, affirming the GCC's steadfast positions on the centrality of the Palestinian cause. He underscored the necessity of ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and resolutions of international legitimacy.
His Excellency the GCC Secretary General also clarified the GCC's firm position on Iran's continued occupation of the three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa) belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He reiterated the GCC's support for the UAE's right to sovereignty over its three islands, as well as over the territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf and exclusive economic zone of the three islands, as they are an integral part of the UAE's territory.
Moreover, His Excellency also considered any decisions, practices, or actions carried out by Iran on the three islands null and void and do not change the historical and legal facts that unanimously support the UAE's right to sovereignty over its three islands. He called on Iran to respond to the UAE's efforts to resolve the issue through direct negotiations or by resorting to the International Court of Justice.
In a related context, His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi mentioned the position of the Cooperation Council on the importance of regulating navigation in Khor Abdullah, Iraq’s respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Kuwait, and its commitment to all relevant international agreements and resolutions, especially Security Council Resolution 833, and the completion of the demarcation of the maritime borders beyond Marker 162 in accordance with international law, and commitment to the signed bilateral agreements, including the 2012 Navigation Agreement and the 2014 Joint Plan.
His Excellency also stressed the Council’s position in supporting Security Council Resolution 2732 (2024) regarding the files of prisoners, missing persons and Kuwaiti property, including the National Archives, based on the relevant Security Council resolutions, especially Resolutions 686 (1991), 687 (1991), and 1284 (1999), and stressing the need to continue under the umbrella of the Security Council, as stated in Resolution 2107 (2013), which defined the framework for submitting reports related to the State of Kuwait’s files to the Security Council and not to other United Nations bodies.
He also emphasised that the fair and most appropriate alternative following the conclusion of the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), while he also stated that the Council reiterates its call to the Government of Iraq to cooperate to achieve progress in this regard and to exert maximum efforts to reach a final solution to these issues.
On the Syrian side, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General reiterated the GCC's rejection of the ongoing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and foreign interference in its internal affairs. He affirmed its support for Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, considering its security and stability a fundamental pillar of regional security. He also emphasised the need to confront terrorism, extremism and all acts of violence aimed at destabilising Syria, regardless of their motives and justifications.
Meanwhile, His Excellency said that since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the GCC has adopted a position based on the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, preserving the international order based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and the non-use or threat of force.
He further said: “The GCC affirms that a peaceful settlement through dialogue, negotiations, and non-military escalation is the only way to resolve the crisis. The GCC states have also consistently supported diplomatic efforts and international initiatives aimed at ending the war, within the framework of their keen interest in ensuring that this leads to a political solution to the crisis. This is in addition to the success of the mediation efforts achieved by the GCC states regarding the exchange of prisoners, the release of detainees, and the reunification of families from both sides, and the humanitarian and relief aid they have provided, in addition to their support for efforts to facilitate the export of grains and food and humanitarian supplies to protect the global food security system.”
His Excellency expressed his hope that the recent high-level talks held in the United States, along with the previous Russian-American talks in Riyadh, would contribute to achieving a comprehensive and sustainable peaceful political solution, thus contributing to the restoration of security and stability.
His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi concluded his speech by expressing his hope for continued strengthening of joint cooperation between the two sides in the political, commercial, cultural, educational, agricultural, health and energy sectors, within the framework of the Joint Action Plan between the Cooperation Council and the Russian Federation (2023-2028). He underscored that the General Secretariat is fully prepared to discuss with the Russian side all possible aspects of cooperation, especially since the General Secretariat will present proposals for cooperation in the fields of tourism and cybersecurity in the coming period.
