GCC Stresses Importance of Partnership with US in Securing Freedom of Maritime Navigation in Region

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council met with Vice Admiral Brad Cooper. Photo: GCC website
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council met with Vice Admiral Brad Cooper. Photo: GCC website
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GCC Stresses Importance of Partnership with US in Securing Freedom of Maritime Navigation in Region

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council met with Vice Admiral Brad Cooper. Photo: GCC website
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council met with Vice Admiral Brad Cooper. Photo: GCC website

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, stressed on Thursday the importance of the strategic partnership between the GCC and the United States in enhancing maritime security in the region and securing freedom of maritime navigation and the flow of international trade.

This statement came during his meeting with Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed several issues related to maritime security in the Arab Gulf region, strengthening the GCC-US cooperation and working with international and regional partners.

The GCC Secretary-General stressed the importance of this joint work to maintain the security of waterways and maritime navigation in a way that guarantees freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade to the countries of this region and the world.

In addition, Albudaiwi emphasized that the matter of maritime security is a top priority within the framework of the strategic partnership with the US. This is evidenced by the formation of a specialized working group in 2015, whose members convene regularly to agree on necessary steps to enhance cooperation between the two sides in the field of maritime security, he said.

The importance of this partnership has been underscored by the successive GCC-US summits, including the summit held in July 2022 in Jeddah, and the joint ministerial meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the GCC countries and the US in June 2023, which stressed the importance of supporting navigational rights and freedoms as well as collective efforts to address threats to the security of ships using the waterways in the region, the GCC Secretary-General highlighted.



Saudi Interior Ministry Issues Guideline to Facilitate Hajj Rituals 

Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Issues Guideline to Facilitate Hajj Rituals 

Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)
Muslims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2025. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has issued a comprehensive guide containing instructions and guidelines aimed at ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims and facilitating the performance of this year’s Hajj with ease, safety, and tranquility.

The guide includes directions on how to reach the Grand Mosque in Makkah and explains the designated pedestrian pathways leading to the areas for circumambulation (Tawaf) and walking between Safa and Marwah (Sa’i).

It highlights peak times at the Grand Mosque and its courtyards, offers vehicle usage guidelines during the Hajj, and outlines instructions for managing pedestrian movement and crowd control.

These include adherence to scheduled group timings for Tawaf, Sa’i, and the stoning of the Jamarat across all stages of the Hajj.

The guide also features various safety and security tips to ensure the smooth performance of rituals and provides information on Hajj regulations, particularly the “No Hajj Without a Permit” rule and the fines for violations.

The ministry urged all individuals to comply with Hajj regulations, which are designed to safeguard the well-being of pilgrims and ensure a smooth Hajj. It also encouraged the public to report violations by contacting the authorities through dedicated hotlines.