His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) affirmed that the Council has operated on the principle that “Gulf security is indivisible”.
"Therefore, Qatar's security is an integral part of our shared Gulf security, and any attack against it or any other Gulf state is an attack against our collective security," His Excellency stated.
These remarks came during His Excellency's speech in the extraordinary session of the Joint Defence Council, held Thursday (September 18, 2025) in the Qatari capital, Doha. The session was chaired by His Excellency Shaikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs of the State of Qatar, and President of the Joint Defence Council's current extraordinary session, and attended by Their Highnesses and Excellencies, the defence ministers of the GCC member states and their representatives.
HE the Secretary General began his speech by extending his deepest thanks, appreciation and gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, for his generous patronage and directives, and for the tireless efforts exerted by the State of Qatar to strengthen joint Gulf action and achieve the lofty goals of the GCC. He also extended his thanks and gratitude to His Excellency Shaikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani for his generous hosting, hospitality and organisation of this extraordinary meeting.
During his speech, HE the Secretary General said: “Today's meeting comes in implementation of the directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states, to hold an urgent meeting of the GCC Joint Defence Council in Doha, preceded by a meeting of the Supreme Military Committee, to assess the defence situation of the GCC states and the sources of threat in light of the Israeli aggression against the sisterly State of Qatar, and directed the Unified Military Command to take the necessary executive measures to activate joint defence mechanisms and the Gulf's deterrent capabilities.”
HE the Secretary General also emphasised that what the State of Qatar was subjected to was “a treacherous attack and a flagrant violation of its sovereignty by the Israeli occupation forces, which targeted residential areas crowded with schools, kindergartens and diplomatic missions, resulting in the deaths of innocent victims”.
“This aggressive act represented a dangerous and unacceptable escalation and a grave violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. This was embodied in the regional and international positions condemning this attack and the statements of solidarity and support for the State of Qatar. This international momentum confirms the prominent and distinguished status enjoyed by the State of Qatar, on the one hand, and, on the other, has made the world aware of the danger of reckless Israeli policies, which now significantly threaten security and stability in the region,” HE the Secretary General said.
He also pointed out during his speech: “Since the establishment of the Cooperation Council, joint Gulf military action has received the utmost attention, care and support from Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the founding GCC states, and the current ones. This is in recognition of the responsibility of the armed forces in the GCC states to ensure their security, stability and preservation of their integrity.”
His Excellency continued: “The interconnectedness and cooperation between our armed Gulf forces in confronting the crises and wars that have befallen our countries throughout history has proven to be a model to be emulated regionally and internationally. The joint heroic stances have served as a living testament to the unity of the Gulf ranks, sending a clear message to the world that the security of the GCC states is indivisible. The Joint Defence Agreement explicitly states that any attack against any of the GCC states is an attack against all of them. Based on this, we look forward today, through your esteemed meeting and your sound directives, to coming up with recommendations that will contribute to further strengthening the defence integration between our armed forces to confront various present and future challenges and threats, and to respond to any aggression targeting any GCC state.”
HE the Secretary General concluded his speech by praying to Allah the Almighty to protect our homelands and our wise leadership, to perpetuate upon us the blessings of security and safety, and to always unite us on the paths of goodness and love, for the good, security and stability of the GCC countries and their noble peoples.
His Excellency offered his highest expressions of thanks, gratitude and appreciation to the members of the armed forces in the GCC countries, describing them as “the valiant forces that have spared no effort in defending our homelands and protecting our gains, imbued with the highest meanings of courage and sacrifice, and offering their pure souls in defence of our beloved Gulf”. He added: “They have from us all reverence and gratitude, and great appreciation and respect.”