General Secretariat – New York
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), confirmed that the GCC-US meeting addressed numerous issues, primarily the situation in Gaza and Lebanese territories. "During the meeting, we emphasised the necessity and importance of cooperation and joint action to confront the various challenges facing the region and the world," His Excellency stated.
This statement came during the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC states and the United States, attended by Their Highnesses and Excellencies, the Foreign Ministers of the GCC countries and the His Excellency the US Secretary of State, on Monday, September 25, 2024.
This meeting took place on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, chaired by His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, who is currently presiding over the ministerial council of the GCC, alongside His Excellency Mr Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State.
Commenting further, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General noted that the meeting comes at a critical time to discuss the threats facing the region and the world, highlighting the importance of dialogue and coordination between both sides to support regional and international stability and security.
In his address, he discussed key issues affecting the region's stability, such as tensions in Gaza, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and security challenges in the Red Sea. He renewed his call for all parties to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to resolve disputes.
His Excellency also reaffirmed the GCC's support for the sovereignty and stability of Lebanon, expressing concern over recent Israeli violations that threaten to escalate tensions in the region.
He reviewed the various fields of cooperation between the GCC and the United States, which include air defense, cybersecurity, and economic collaboration, noting that plans are in place for future meetings and joint workshops to enhance this partnership.
In conclusion, he reaffirmed the GCC states' commitment to strengthening their relations with the United States, underscoring that this partnership is based on strong historical ties and shared interests, and that the GCC looks forward to achieving further progress in these strategic relations.
