His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underscored that the convening by the GCC General Secretariat of the symposium titled "Challenges Posed by Non-State Armed Groups"—held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with high-level international participation—reflects member states' steadfast commitment to addressing this critical issue and advancing regional and international security and stability.
His Excellency’s remarks were delivered during his opening keynote at the symposium organised by the GCC General Secretariat in New York on Monday (21 September 2026), held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UNGA and coinciding with the International Day of Peace, in the presence of several ministers and senior officials from brotherly and friendly nations.
His Excellency stressed that the presence of armed groups operating outside official state structures constitutes a challenge extending far beyond security dimensions, directly undermining national sovereignty, independent decision-making, the rule of law, and a country's ability to protect its borders and citizens. Underlining the Council’s principled and resolute stance, he asserted: "There can be no sovereignty alongside dual arsenals, and no stability when military decisions are made outside legitimate state institutions."
"Investing in peace is not confined to quelling conflicts after their outbreak, but begins with establishing resilient institutions capable of protecting citizens, enforcing the law, ensuring justice and opportunity, and commanding the confidence of society. Institutional fragility and the erosion of a state's authority across its territory create political and security vacuums that armed militias exploit to expand their influence and dispute sovereign authority," His Excellency explained.
Moreover, His Excellency observed that the gravity of this phenomenon multiplies when armed entities independently acquire weapons and resources or align with external sponsors that provide financing, armaments, and tactical training. "This menace has evolved into an escalating global peril. The region has borne witness to armed factions deploying ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), endangering neighbouring states and international maritime navigation," His Excellency added.
"The GCC member states anchor their position in the UN Charter and resolutions of international legitimacy, which mandate the exclusive authority of the state and the restriction of arms to official forces," His Excellency indicated. In this context, he recalled the historic Gulf role in facilitating political accords and consolidating sovereign governance, citing the Taif Agreement in 1989 and the GCC Initiative and its Executive Mechanism in Yemen in 2011.
Furthermore, His Excellency underlined that the Council continues to back the efforts of regional nations—including Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria—to enforce the rule of law and confine weapons strictly to legitimate state authorities, in tandem with supporting post-conflict recovery, reconstruction, and relief for communities affected by conflict.
Concluding his address, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General called upon the international community to assume its responsibilities by halting the illicit transfer of weapons, financing, training, and military technology to non-state groups, holding their foreign backers accountable, and ensuring the rigorous enforcement of arms embargoes—particularly through tighter monitoring of missiles, drones, and related components.
He further urged comprehensive assistance to elevate the defence, security, and judicial capabilities of legitimate governments, while integrating disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) frameworks with economic development and reconstruction. His Excellency reiterated that the GCC will remain a steadfast partner to regional nations in restoring their full sovereignty, as well as an active ally to the UN and the global community in safeguarding enduring peace and security.