Albudaiwi: GCC Aspires to Strengthen Dialogue with Int’l Community to Achieve Global Security

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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Albudaiwi: GCC Aspires to Strengthen Dialogue with Int’l Community to Achieve Global Security

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the GCC looks forward to strengthening its dialogue with the international community to achieve global security and stability, and work to resolve all conflicts through peaceful means, based on the rules of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

Albudaiwi participated in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council of NATO and representatives of the partners in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), headed by Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Joanna.

Held in Brussels on Wednesday, the meeting also witnessed the participation of the ambassadors of NATO countries and the ambassadors of Finland, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait via audiovisual communication.

Albudaiwi indicated that the potential cooperation between the GCC General Secretariat and NATO, which is considered the largest military alliance in the world, is of paramount importance, especially with the existence of opportunities to effectively engage in constructive strategic partnerships and dialogues with its members.

Albudaiwi praised the robust and productive collaboration between Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates on one hand, and NATO, on the other, under the umbrella of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative and through NATO-ICI Regional Center, which will celebrate its seventh anniversary next January.

Albudaiwi cited the encouraging statements of NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg during his visit to the region on many occasions, especially during his trip to Kuwait, where he asserted that “the security of the Gulf is the security of the Alliance.”

He also stated that the NATO-ICI Regional Center has played a pivotal role in strengthening the collective understanding of NATO's role and the significance of cooperation with the organization within the region, clarifying that it has been instrumental in enhancing the individual capabilities of its ICI members, as well as Saudi Arabia and Oman.

During his speech, the GCC Secretary General also reviewed the positions of the GCC countries on regional and international issues, stressing their role in achieving global security and prosperity, which is based on development and stability.

He indicated that the Gulf Cooperation Council has now become a strong voice on the global scene, enabling it to contribute in resolving some regional and international conflicts, through its strong partnerships with all key players in the world.

Albudaiwi expressed the aspiration of the GCC General Secretariat to extend a welcoming hand for cooperation with NATO across a broad spectrum of shared interests that serve the cause of regional and global peace and stability.



Saudi Industry, Mineral Resources Minister Begins Official Visit to France

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)
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Saudi Industry, Mineral Resources Minister Begins Official Visit to France

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, leading a high-level delegation from the industry and mining sector, began an official three-day visit to France on Monday, with scheduled stops in Paris, Marseille, and Toulouse.

The visit aims to strengthen bilateral economic ties and foster cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France in the industrial and mining sectors, as well as explore joint investment opportunities in key strategic areas that the Kingdom is prioritizing for localization, particularly the aviation and food industries.

Alkhorayef will hold a series of bilateral meetings with French government officials and leaders of prominent global French companies in the mining, aircraft manufacturing, and food sectors. The meetings will include discussions with Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Eric Lombard, as well as the CEOs of Airbus, Safran, Orano, Sidel, Lesaffre, and the Bel Group.

The agenda includes expanding joint cooperation in the industrial and mining sectors, attracting high-quality investments to the Kingdom, and building effective partnerships to leverage the promising opportunities offered by Saudi Arabia’s specialized industrial clusters. The Kingdom's incentives and capabilities available to investors will also be highlighted.

Alkhorayef's visit will feature tours of Airbus's aircraft manufacturing plants in Marseille and Toulouse, providing insights into their industrial facilities and production lines.

The visit is also expected to include the signing of memoranda of understanding with French companies to encourage joint investments, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and promote knowledge transfer in promising industrial sectors.

Saudi Arabia and France maintain strong economic relations, with Saudi non-oil exports to France exceeding SAR1.91 billion in 2024, primarily consisting of machinery and electrical appliances, organic chemical products, and aluminum and its derivatives. French non-oil imports reached SAR18.2 billion in the same year, with essential oils, electrical appliances, and pharmaceutical products among the most significant import sectors.

Alkhorayef's visit to France aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which emphasizes developing international partnerships to boost the competitiveness of the Saudi industrial sector and transform the Kingdom into a leading global industrial power. This includes localizing advanced strategic industries such as aviation and food, attracting high-quality investments, and facilitating the transfer of knowledge, technology, and innovation in these areas.