His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that the seventh joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and the Kingdom of Morocco, held today, represents an important step in continuing to strengthen the foundations of the strategic partnership towards a model and integrated multi-dimensional framework.
This statement was made during the seventh joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and the Kingdom of Morocco, which took place on Thursday (March 6, 2025), in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chaired by His Excellency Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait and current President of the Ministerial Council, alongside Their Highnesses and Excellences the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the GCC member states, and His Excellency Mr Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco.
At the beginning of his speech, HE the Secretary General extended his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for hosting this meeting on this holy land, and for the efforts and facilities provided to ensure the success of the joint GCC meetings with brotherly countries.
He also acknowledged the support and attention the GCC action receives from Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the Council member states. His Excellency the Secretary General further expressed his sincere appreciation to His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for his generous hospitality and warm welcome, as well as for the excellent organisation and preparation of this meeting.
During his address, His Excellency noted that today’s meeting is part of the seventh joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and the Kingdom of Morocco, aimed at enhancing the distinguished historical relations that bind both sides and supporting the existing frameworks of strategic partnership between the two sides, and developing them across various fields.
He referred to the decisions of the Supreme Council of the GCC during its 45th session in December 2024, which underscored the importance of the strategic partnership between the GCC and the Kingdom of Morocco, the implementation of the Joint Action Plan, and the Council’s steadfast positions and resolutions supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, as well as maintaining the security and stability of the Kingdom of Morocco and its territorial integrity. He commended United Nations Security Council Resolution 2756 issued on October 31, 2024, regarding Moroccan Sahara.
Moreover, HE the GCC Secretary General expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco for his generosity and hospitality during His Excellency's visit to Rabat last year, indicating that this visit significantly contributed to solidifying Gulf-Moroccan relations and mapping out a roadmap for developing ties between the two sides and discussing regional issues of mutual interest.
He also congratulated the Kingdom of Morocco on being awarded the opportunity to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup in partnership with Spain and Portugal, urging Gulf investment companies and the private sector to take advantage of the investment opportunities that will arise from the major projects that Morocco will launch on this occasion.
Additionally, he praised the reforms led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco in all political, economic and social domains, which have solidified Morocco’s role as a credible and reliable partner and a pillar of stability in the region. He also highlighted the various royal initiatives launched by the Kingdom of Morocco, primarily the royal initiative aimed at enabling Sahel countries to access the Atlantic, the collaboration among African Atlantic coast nations, as well as the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project. Furthermore, he extended wishes for success to the Kingdom of Morocco in its candidacy for membership on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-2029 term.
In addition, HE the Secretary General expressed his happiness with the progress made regarding the organisation of the Gulf-Moroccan Investment Forum set to take place in 2025, which is being organised by the Federation of Gulf Chambers and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (Confédération Générale Des Entreprises Du Maroc – CGEM), with high-level participation from the private sector in the GCC member states. He hoped that this forum would contribute to advancing commercial and investment relations to broader horizons.
In conclusion, HE the Secretary General reaffirmed the importance attributed to the strategic dialogue and partnership between the GCC and the Kingdom of Morocco, expressing the desire to strengthen and develop these relations across various fields.
