His Excellency Mr. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that the announcement ceremony of the GCC’s Vision for Regional Security is not just a political commitment, but an ethical dedication that unites us all, adding that “our common security is the foundation upon which we build our hopes and dreams for a better future.”

“In the Gulf Cooperation Council, we believe that dialogue, cooperation, coordination, and respect for different perspectives are fundamental and solid shields to face all challenges,” he stressed.

This came during the launch of the GCC’s Vision for Regional Security, during a ceremony held Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the General Secretariat Headquarters in the Saudi Capital Riyadh, in the presence of senior officials from the foreign Ministries of the Council’s countries, diplomats, and thinkers in the same field.

During his speech at the ceremony, His Excellency mentioned that the GCC stands on solid ground in supporting and enhancing international security and peace.

“Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Council countries have repeatedly affirmed, most recently during the Doha Summit, the GCC countries’ firm commitment to confronting political, security, and economic challenges, not only within the region but also on a global level. Contributing to solving issues that threaten global security and stability is a testament to our determination and belief that peace is not just a goal we seek, but the foundation upon which the vision for a future characterised by coexistence and common progress is built,” His Excellency pointed out.

“This is achieved by enhancing regional and international roles, holding onto dialogue as a bridge for communication and understanding, while expanding the horizons of cooperation with all our partners around the world, based on the belief that lasting peace requires joint efforts and genuine as well as sincere will,” he added.

His Excellency recalled that the GCC countries have proven their sincerity and commitment to these principles, charters, and international norms over the past decades.

“The GCC member states’ positive approach has been a compass guiding for their interaction and communication with the regional and international community, and has earned them the trust and confidence of the international community. This has positioned them to play greater roles, armed with the sincerity of their intentions, positive engagement, and a genuine and realistic desire to de-escalate conflicts, resolve disputes, and find solutions to outstanding conflicts, issues, and cases,” His Excellency stressed.

He clarified that this vision is an invitation to all parties to work together for a prosperous and secure future, explaining  that it refers to three points:

“First, the coordination of positions among the GCC countries towards regional and international issues, which is an important pillar of cooperation and integration among the Council’s countries and a fundamental factor in shaping its unified foreign policy. This has enabled the Council to adopt unified positions towards the most important challenges facing this region and the world, including regional security issues,” His Excellency said.

“Second, the unified and common positions are based on the Charter of the GCC and the principles of international law that govern relations between states. These principles are based on the non-interference in the internal affairs of states, mutual respect for the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity, and natural resources of states. It emphasises that disputes between countries should be resolved through negotiations, diplomacy, and dialogue, rejecting the use or threat of force, in order to protect the security and stability of the region,” His Excellency further added.

“Third, reliance on the GCC’s Charter on one hand, and the Joint Defense Agreement on the other hand; the security of each GCC country is indivisible, especially in light of the instability witnessed by the region and the world. This is linked to the principle of shared destiny. The political, military, and security integration among the Council's countries has contributed to establishing security, stability, and economic prosperity. The GCC countries have become reliable partners for all parties in the world in the political, security, and economic fields. They have also become an international center of attraction for thought, culture, science, as well as sports and art. This is the model that the GCC hopes the countries of the region and the world will achieve,” His Excellency indicated.

During his speech, His Excellency emphasised that the GCC countries have adopted a future vision regarding regional security, based on the Council’s positions towards regional and international issues. This vision seeks to achieve security, stability, and peace in the region. Its strategic objectives are built upon preserving regional security, ensuring the stability and prosperity of the countries in the region, promoting international security and peace, establishing strategic relationships, regional and international partnerships, ensuring energy supply security and the stability of oil markets, enhancing maritime security and freedom of navigation, collectively addressing climate challenges, securing vital economic resources and defending them, and creating investment opportunities to enhance their capabilities in achieving development and progress for their peoples, thereby contributing to regional and international security, peace, and prosperity.

The vision includes several pillars, notably the pillar of security and stability, the economic and developmental pillar, and the environmental and climate change pillar. This is in order to address numerous challenges and threats, including security challenges and interventions in the internal affairs of the GCC countries and neighboring states, geopolitical changes at the international level, as well as economic, cultural, and social challenges.

His Excellency emphasised that the GCC countries stand together on the threshold of a future in which they strive for security and prosperity, drawing inspiration from this future vision for regional security, which was presented today.

“This vision is not merely plans and strategic objectives; it is a commitment among us to build a shared future characterised by security, peace, and stability. Our commitment to dialogue, cooperation, respect for sovereignty, and international coordination reflects our deep desire, as GCC countries, to achieve lasting peace and prosperity for our people and the entire world. We call upon all parties to work hand in hand to translate this vision into tangible reality that reflects our collective strength and determination to face present and future challenges,” he concluded. (Source & Photo © Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Secretariat General)