His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that the vision of the GCC for regional security aims to achieve regional security, stability and peace, and to promote international security and peace, and to build strategic relations and international partnerships.
This came during his Excellency's participation in the 14th edition of the Gulf Research Forum, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in the city of Cambridge, United Kingdom. The event featured a number of high-level diplomatic figures in addition to several political experts and researchers from different countries of the world.
His Excellency began his speech by expressing his thanks and appreciation to Dr. Abdulaziz bin Sager, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Research Center, for his kind invitation to participate in this important forum organised by the Center annually since 2010.
Moreover, His Excellency praised the role of the University of Cambridge and the event organisers in bringing together this distinguished group of diplomatic figures to discuss regional security issues. He also expressed his pride and appreciation for the participation of an elite of female leaders from the GCC countries in the activities of this forum, noting the great progress achieved by Gulf societies in the field of women's empowerment.
During his speech, His Excellency emphasised that this year's forum is of special importance due to the exceptional and difficult circumstances witnessed by the region and the world, and the outbreak of many crises and tensions in different regions of the world, which requires intensifying efforts to enhance consultation, coordination and cooperation between countries to face common security challenges, stressing that silence is not an option in the current circumstances.
His Excellency addressed the current global events, including the escalation in Gaza and the West Bank and its impact on regional security, explaining that the Cooperation Council constantly urges the international community to fulfill its duties and take effective measures to achieve an immediate ceasefire, stop the escalation and violence against the Palestinians, and support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
His Excellency also discussed several regional and international issues during his speech, including the Cooperation Council's efforts to support stability in Yemen through Yemeni-Yemeni consultations and mediation to achieve a ceasefire, as well as the Saudi-Iranian agreement to resume diplomatic relations, and the Cooperation Council's efforts in dealing with regional and international turmoils such as the Sudanese crisis and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
In conclusion, His Excellency underlined that cooperation and interdependence between states is the strategic choice to achieve security, stability, and sustainable prosperity for the peoples of the region, calling on everyone to be partners in this ambitious vision for a safe and stable world where interests are shared instead of fought over. He stressed that the GCC states are committed to their permanent central role in supporting stability and peace in the region and the world.