His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underscored that GCC member states adopt an integrated approach that positions environmental protection as a driver of green investment and quality job creation, bolsters the competitiveness of their economies, and supports the transition towards a low-carbon economy while safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
His Excellency pointed out that the GCC General Secretariat, guided by the directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC states, works to advance joint Gulf environmental action through sustained coordination to establish unified environmental policies integrated with the economic and developmental pathways of member states.
His Excellency’s remarks were delivered during his address at the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs in the GCC, held today, Sunday (October 11, 2026), in the Bahraini capital, Manama, chaired by His Excellency Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Chairman of the current session, and attended by Their Excellencies the Ministers responsible for environmental affairs across the GCC member states.
At the outset of his address, His Excellency the Secretary General expressed his highest 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, and for the facilities and support extended to ensure the success of GCC endeavours. He also commended the steadfast support and attention accorded to joint GCC action by His Majesty alongside Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC states across all fields.
"GCC member states have made qualitative strides in environmental action in recent years, translating their environmental commitments into ambitious initiatives and pioneering projects. Emission reduction policies and increased reliance on renewable energy have become foundational pillars in their national roadmaps toward transitioning to a low-carbon economy that balances economic growth with natural resource preservation," His Excellency highlighted.
In the same vein, His Excellency explained that these efforts reflect an integrated Gulf approach combining environmental and economic dimensions. "This approach transforms environmental protection into an effective instrument to stimulate investment in high-value green sectors, generate specialised employment in clean energy and modern environmental technologies, and deploy Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) principles, thereby expanding production bases, cementing GCC competitiveness, and realising sustainable development across its economic, social, and environmental pillars," he stated.
Moreover, His Excellency the Secretary General reaffirmed the importance of unifying Gulf visions and stances across relevant international forums, reinforcing the GCC's presence as an influential and effective bloc in global climate action to preserve the environment for future generations, noting that among the most prominent joint efforts at present is continuous coordination to address international cross-border legislation and measures, thereby safeguarding the interests of GCC member states and their competitive standing across global energy markets.