At the beginning of his speech, HE the Secretary General expressed his deep thanks and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for hosting this blessed summit.
He stated: “This summit represents a deepening of the Gulf-US alliance, as His Excellency President Donald Trump, at the beginning of his second presidential term, chose the GCC countries as his first foreign destination, as he did during his first term. This is a clear indication of the strength of this relationship, which serves as a model for international relations,”
HE the Secretary General also stated that the Gulf-US partnership is based on solid foundations supported by figures and facts, and is embodied in the fields of trade, investment, education, energy and defence, and is overseen by 10 working groups linking the two sides, highlighting that the volume of trade exchange between the two sides exceeded USD120 billion in 2024, with a clear increase in Gulf investments in the United States, estimated at trillions of US Dollars, matched by a growing presence of American capital in the technology, energy and infrastructure sectors in the GCC countries.
"As the Gulf states continue to lead in traditional energy markets, they are also moving forward with pioneering partnerships with the United States in clean energy and environmental innovation. These relationships are strengthened by the presence of tens of thousands of Gulf students in American universities, the spread of American academic branches in the region, in addition to the deeply rooted defence ties, embodied by qualitative deals and joint bases, making this partnership a unique model of multi-dimensional strategic integration," His Excellency pointed out.
Moreover, HE the Secretary General of the GCC said that one of the most pressing issues at present is the tragedy in the Gaza Strip, commenting during his speech: ”We look forward to the success of the ongoing negotiations to stop the fighting, release the hostages and detainees, and resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged population,”
His Excellency further stated: "As we hope to overcome this difficult stage, we emphasise that a sustainable solution lies in a just settlement of the Palestinian cause, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, in accordance with UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, which would pave the way for comprehensive peace, a decent life and security as well as prosperity for all the peoples of the region. In this context, we reiterate the steadfast position of the GCC countries in supporting the Palestinian people and their cause at all levels,"
In a related context, HE the Secretary General referred to the situation in the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic, adding that: "We thank His Excellency President Donald Trump for his decision yesterday to lift sanctions on Syria, and we commend the efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince, in this important decision in its timing and substance to help the brotherly Syrian people achieve their aspirations to build a prosperous and secure future for their country,"
Concluding his speech, His Excellency said: “The Gulf-US partnership stands today on the threshold of a new phase of our renewed partnership, based on an honourable historical legacy and solid foundations of trust and common interests, to enhance cooperation in all fields and at all levels, believing that this partnership is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity that guarantees security, stability and prosperity in the world,"