General Secretariat - New York
His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) demonstrates the GCC's commitment to establishing strong strategic relationships with nations and organisations across the globe.
This statement was made during His Excellency's speech at the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and CELAC, attended by Their Excellencies the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the GCC countries and those from Latin America and the Caribbean, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings on Friday (September 27, 2024) in New York City.
In his speech, HE the Secretary General emphasised the strategic importance of this meeting, describing it as a valuable opportunity to enhance security and stability on both regional and international fronts while also promoting cooperation in trade, economic and other sectors.
He elaborated that the relationships between the GCC and Latin American and Caribbean countries have been developing since the first meeting in 2013, highlighting that these relationships extend beyond mere diplomatic ties; they are grounded in mutual respect and trust, reflecting a collective determination to strengthen partnerships across various sectors.
HE the Secretary General further addressed the political and security challenges currently facing the world, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts to address urgent issues such as nuclear proliferation, ballistic missile threats, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and organised crime, all of which demand collective action and collaboration.
On the economic front, he noted that trade exchange between the GCC and Latin America and the Caribbean reached approximately USD11.7 billion in 2021. He also stressed the essential role of economic cooperation in fostering relations between the two regions and asserted the importance of advancing these connections in the future.
HE the Secretary General concluded his remarks by asserting that the future of cooperation between the two sides will encompass other vital areas, including education, political dialogue, security, culture, youth engagement, sports, agriculture and food security.
He expressed his eagerness to explore new opportunities to enhance integration between the two regions, reaffirming his confidence that joint efforts will yield fruitful results that strengthen the partnership between the GCC and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
