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Al Marzouqi Appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of GCC Negotiating Team

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi meets with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, in Riyadh on Wednesday. (GCC)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi meets with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, in Riyadh on Wednesday. (GCC)
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Al Marzouqi Appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of GCC Negotiating Team

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi meets with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, in Riyadh on Wednesday. (GCC)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi meets with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, in Riyadh on Wednesday. (GCC)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi held talks on Wednesday with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, on the occasion of his appointment.

The GCC Ministerial Council had on March 22 issued a decision to appoint Al Marzouqi, Saudi Arabia’s candidate, as General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC.

Meeting at the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh, Albudaiwi congratulated Al Marzouqi on his appointment, wishing him success in carrying out his duties in advancing Gulf trade negotiations in a manner that meets the aspirations of the leaders and people of the GCC.

The officials also discussed the need to seize Gulf achievements in line with the provisions of the economic agreement. They underlined the ability of GCC countries to play a major role as an economic engine through strategic partnerships and free trade negotiations with a number of countries, regional blocs, and other economic and international groups.

They also stressed the means to accelerate the pace of partnerships to help advance growth and Gulf economic integration, through plans, visions and development programs.

Al Marzouqi expressed his gratitude to Albudaiwi and Gulf foreign ministers for the confidence in appointing him as the General Coordinator for Negotiations.

Al Marzouqi had previously worked as a Chief Economic Advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning. He worked as a faculty member at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, and a collaborating expert with the International Monetary Fund.

He has also held several leadership and administrative positions in the government and private sectors, as well as international and regional organizations, the most recent of which was the position of CEO of the Gulf Monetary Council.

Al Marzouqi holds a PhD in Economics from Oklahoma State University-Stillwater, a Master's degree in Applied Mathematical Economics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the United States, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from King Saud University in Riyadh.

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Carney Vows to Transform Canada Economy to Withstand Trump

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
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Carney Vows to Transform Canada Economy to Withstand Trump

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP

Prime Minister Mark Carney promised Friday to oversee the biggest transformation of Canada's economy since the end of the Second World War to enable it to "stand up" to Donald Trump.

Carney led the Liberal Party to a dramatic fourth mandate in elections on Monday after a campaign focused on the US president's threats to Canada's economy and sovereignty.

Liberals fell just short of the 172 seats needed for majority control of parliament, but with 169 confirmed wins they will be in a strong position to pass legislation. Recounts in two closely contested electoral districts saw the party lose a seat in Quebec province but gain another in Ontario.

At his first press conference since his victory, Carney struck a determined note.

Known for weighing his words carefully, he said that he was "in politics to do great things, not to be something."

"And now that Canadians have honored me with a mandate to bring about big changes quickly, I will work relentlessly to fulfill that trust," he said.

Canada's strained relations with the United States -- historically, its close ally and biggest trading partner -- was among his "immediate priorities," he said, announcing a trip to Washington next Tuesday to meet with Trump on trade and security issues.

Canadians elected him "to stand up to President Trump," he said, adding that he will act "with focus and determination."

"Our focus will be on both immediate trade pressures and the broader future economic and security relationship between our two sovereign nations," said Carney.

But he warned also not to expect any "white smoke" from their first meeting signaling a sudden breakthrough.

Carney reiterated his message from the campaign that he believes the old relationship between the two North American neighbors "based on steadily increasing integration is over."

"The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future," he said.

Trump "respects strength," he added, explaining that this was why he was preparing the country for major changes including a massive build-up of infrastructure and new housing.

The Conservatives, the main opposition party, as well as the Bloc Quebecois, the third-largest party in Parliament, both called for unity after the elections to fight US levies including on the automotive and steel sectors.

Carney, who previously headed the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, promised to maintain counter-tariffs on American products as long as Washington's measures were in place.

"This will be an incredibly exciting time as we take control of our economic destiny to create a new Canadian economy," Carney said.

To this end, he promised to abolish existing trade barriers between Canadian provinces by July 1 to expand the economy, and to strengthen trade with "reliable allies."

"Canada has what the world needs, and we uphold the values the world respects," he said.