His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underlined that the GCC member states attach particular importance to consolidating relations with the Russian Federation, based on shared interests and a mutual desire to advance cooperation and coordination between both sides, paving the way for broader horizons of GCC-Russian partnership.
His Excellency's remarks were delivered during the convening of the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation today, Sunday (October 18, 2026), in the Bahraini capital, Manama, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council, in the presence of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the GCC member states, and His Excellency Mr Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
During his address, His Excellency the Secretary General stated that today's joint ministerial meeting takes place at an exceptionally critical juncture for our region, during which GCC member states are facing unprecedented attacks undermining their security and sovereignty, while maritime navigation and energy supplies are confronted with direct threats. "This underscores the paramount importance of the strategic dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation, as well as the need to intensify consultations and coordination on regional and international issues of common concern, thereby contributing to consolidating the pillars of security and stability and settling disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter and international law," His Excellency noted.
His Excellency highlighted that foremost among the grave challenges facing our region are the Iranian attacks that have targeted GCC member states since February 28, 2026, involving more than 7,000 ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These attacks struck airports, ports, power stations, water desalination plants, and oil and gas facilities, claiming the lives of innocent civilians in a war in which the GCC states were not a party; rather, they made every effort to spare the region its grave repercussions, despite the blatant assaults and violations of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"These aggressions were not limited to direct Iranian strikes, but extended to include attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia, which escalated its assaults on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by targeting airports, civilian objects, and energy facilities. Foremost among these was the brutal attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10, which claimed the lives of 12 people—both citizens and residents of various nationalities—and injured more than 300 others, in flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law," His Excellency added.
In this context, His Excellency the Secretary General affirmed the GCC's united stance alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its full solidarity, and its absolute support for all measures taken to protect its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents. "The GCC also calls upon the international community to adopt a firm and deterrent posture against the attacks targeting the Kingdom’s security and stability, condemning the threat they pose to regional peace and security and their violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2722," His Excellency said.
Furthermore, His Excellency noted that Iran's disruption of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption previously passed—and its attempts to impose restrictions and transit fees on the right of transit passage, alongside threats posed by its proxies to navigation in Bab Al Mandeb and the Red Sea, stand as a violation of international rules governing transit in straits used for international navigation and pose a direct threat to global energy security, food security, and international supply chains. His Excellency stressed the GCC’s firm position on the necessity of restoring maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to its status prior to February 28, 2026, and underscored the importance of the full implementation of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2817 (2026), which condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks on GCC member states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, demanding the immediate cessation of all Iranian assaults.
In this regard, His Excellency the Secretary General said that the GCC looks forward to the Russian Federation, in its capacity as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, playing an active role in urging Iran to comply with Resolution 2817 (2026), cease its attacks, respect freedom of navigation, and engage in serious dialogue with the GCC states based on the principles of good neighbourliness, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.
His Excellency added that the Palestinian cause remains at the forefront of the GCC’s priorities. He accordingly reaffirmed the GCC’s firm position in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state along the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.
His Excellency the Secretary General also expressed the GCC’s appreciation for the Russian Federation’s firm position in support of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and its recognition of the State of Palestine since 1988. He reiterated the GCC’s support for consolidating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and proceeding with the implementation of the second phase, in a manner that ensures the complete Israeli withdrawal, unhindered access to humanitarian assistance, the commencement of recovery and reconstruction efforts, and the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. He also stressed the rejection of any attempts at forced displacement or changes to the legal and historical character of Jerusalem, as well as support for the continued work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in carrying out its mandate.
Regarding Syria, His Excellency the Secretary General underlined the GCC’s firm position backing the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. He also emphasised the importance of supporting efforts aimed at bolstering its security and stability and fulfilling the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people for security, development and prosperity in order to contribute to consolidating security and stability in the region.
Addressing the Russia-Ukraine crisis, His Excellency the Secretary General reiterated the GCC’s position on the importance of prioritising dialogue and diplomacy in addressing the crisis and supporting all efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful, comprehensive political solution, in accordance with the principles of international law and the Charter of the UN, in a manner that contributes to achieving security and stability.
His Excellency also highlighted the GCC’s pride in the tangible contributions made by its member states to alleviating the humanitarian repercussions of the crisis. These include the UAE’s mediation efforts, which resulted in the exchange of thousands of prisoners between the two sides, Saudi Arabia’s endeavours in hosting talks in Jeddah and Riyadh between the parties concerned, and Qatar’s mediation initiatives, which facilitated the reunification of more than 100 children with their families. He underscored that these efforts reflect the GCC states’ consistent approach to supporting peaceful endeavours and building trust between the parties.
Moreover, His Excellency the Secretary General expressed his aspiration to continue developing joint GCC-Russian cooperation and bolstering collaboration in the political, trade, cultural, educational, agricultural, health and energy sectors, among others, within the framework of the Joint Action Plan between the GCC and the Russian Federation for 2023–2028. He noted that these endeavours aim to serve common interests and support development and prosperity for both sides.
In the same context, he explained that arrangements had been planned for a joint technical meeting in the Russian capital, Moscow, bringing together specialists and relevant officials from both sides to discuss areas of joint cooperation and review their respective priorities, initiatives and proposals. His Excellency pointed out that the unfortunate circumstances that affected the region prevented the meeting from being held as scheduled. He added that coordination would resume to arrange the meeting and advance the agreed areas of cooperation under the Joint Action Plan.
“We hope that today’s 9th GCC-Russia Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue will provide an opportunity to deepen political and security consultations and strengthen coordination and cooperation between the GCC and the Russian Federation, in a manner that contributes to achieving peace, security, development and stability in the region and the world,” His Excellency concluded.
