His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that the Third Gulf-Canada Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue represents an important platform to broaden the horizons of cooperation, not only in addressing current challenges, but also in building sustainable strategic partnerships across various fields of common interest, reflecting the growing stature of this relationship and its future importance.
This came during HE the Secretary General’s speech at the Third Gulf-Canada Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue, held on Wednesday (June 10, 2026) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, chaired by His Excellency Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and President of the current session of the Ministerial Council, with the participation of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the GCC states, and Her Excellency Ms Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.
At the outset of his speech, HE the Secretary General extended the 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 Supreme Council, for the facilities and support provided by the Kingdom of Bahrain to ensure the success of the work of the Cooperation Council, and for the support and attention accorded by His Majesty to joint GCC action, as well as to Their Majesties and Highnesses, the Leaders of the GCC states, across all fields.
“Today’s meeting is being held amid complex regional and international developments and circumstances across all levels, following the treacherous Iranian aggression against the GCC states since February 28, 2026, which continues to this day, and whose repercussions have extended to disrupting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, causing serious consequences for the global economy,” His Excellency stated.
He further said: “Today’s meeting, held under these circumstances and challenges, carries particular importance for exchanging views, coordinating positions and strengthening joint cooperation between the GCC and Canada, in a manner that contributes to supporting security, stability and prosperity.”
HE the Secretary General also renewed his welcome of the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2817, affirming the importance of its implementation in order to achieve its objectives of protecting international security and peace, and deterring any practices that could threaten the stability of the region or undermine the rules of international law.
In the same context, His Excellency expressed his appreciation for Canada’s positions in denouncing and condemning the Iranian attacks against the GCC states, and for its support for efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
HE the Secretary General underlined that the strategic dialogue between the GCC states and Canada constitutes a qualitative shift in relations between the two sides, and that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the General Secretariat of the GCC and the Government of Canada has established a solid institutional framework for this dialogue. "The Joint Action Plan for 2025-2029 sets out the priorities and mechanisms necessary to enhance cooperation in the political and security fields, trade and investment, energy, education, health, and other vital areas," His Excellency explained.
His Excellency also addressed economic relations between the GCC states and Canada, pointing out that they have witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with the volume of trade exchange between the two sides reaching approximately USD 7.7 billion in 2025. "Foreign direct investment inflows to the GCC states also rose to more than USD 2 billion in 2024, reflecting the strength of existing economic links and the promising potential to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two sides," His Excellency highlighted.
He also emphasised the importance of building on the progress achieved in economic relations between the GCC states and Canada, working to expand the horizons of mutual trade and investment, and strengthening cooperation in the fields of conventional and renewable energy, innovation, advanced technologies, food security and supply chains, in a manner that contributes to accomplishing sustainable development and supports economic growth and prosperity for our peoples.
Concluding his remarks, His Excellency welcomed Canada’s hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in partnership with the United States and Mexico, wishing it success.
