GCC Secretary-General and ILO Director-General Discuss Cooperation Relations

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Secretary-General and ILO Director-General Discuss Cooperation Relations

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met on Wednesday with Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo in Geneva, Swiss Confederation.

At the beginning of the meeting, the secretary-general praised the efforts exerted by the ILO in promoting social justice and protecting workers’ rights, underscoring that the GCC states have developed numerous regulations and legislation to preserve and respect workers’ rights in line with international standards, SPA reported.

The ILO director-general expressed his appreciation and thanks to the GCC states for their significant support for the work of the ILO, commending the many steps taken by the GCC states in this regard.

A number of topics of common interest were also discussed during the meeting, most notably the review of cooperation relations between the GCC General Secretariat and the ILO, as well as several proposals to unify efforts between the two sides to advance the shared objectives of the GCC and the organization in this field.



Saudi, Omani Foreign Ministers Discuss Strategic Partnership

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holding talks in Muscat with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holding talks in Muscat with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi - SPA
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Saudi, Omani Foreign Ministers Discuss Strategic Partnership

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holding talks in Muscat with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holding talks in Muscat with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Wednesday in Muscat with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, with whom he reviewed relations between the two countries and their peoples and discussed ways to strengthen them to serve mutual interests, elevate bilateral cooperation, and advance joint Gulf action.

Following their meeting, the two ministers held an official session of talks to review cooperation and enhance their strategic partnership across various fields.

They discussed the latest regional and international developments, focusing on issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining waterway security, ensuring freedom of navigation, and supporting peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes and enhance regional stability, SPA reported.

Discussions also addressed joint strategic initiatives, notably the land border crossing project, transportation networks, and logistics connectivity to support regional integration.

Also, they explored expanding economic, trade, and investment cooperation by encouraging public-private partnerships and capitalizing on promising sectors to fulfill the aspirations of both nations' leaderships.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran’s Targeting of Tankers Wedyan, Al Rekayyat

FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran’s Targeting of Tankers Wedyan, Al Rekayyat

FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo//File Photo

Saudi Arabia has condemned in the strongest terms Iran’s targeting of the Saudi tanker Wedyan while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the Kingdom stressed that “these unacceptable attacks constitute an assault on the security and safety of international navigation, as well as the security of global energy supplies.”

“The Kingdom affirms that Iran’s continued launching of these attacks constitutes a grave violation of international law and norms, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which guarantee freedom of navigation and the safe passage through maritime routes,” the statement read.

The Kingdom also “reiterates its call on Iran to immediately cease all actions that threaten regional security, international maritime safety, and energy supplies, and affirms that Iran bears full responsibility for these attacks and all their damage and repercussions,” the ministry added.


Mediator Qatar Calls for De-escalation after Iran Attacks

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud
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Mediator Qatar Calls for De-escalation after Iran Attacks

A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud
A general view of the Doha skyline, Qatar, June 29, 2026. REUTERS/Bassam Masoud

Qatar on Wednesday condemned strikes carried out by Iran against Kuwait and Bahrain and called for diplomacy, as hostilities resumed following attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar, a key intermediary in talks between Iran and the United States, said it "emphasizes the need to spare the region the consequences of these unjustified attacks,” in a foreign ministry statement posted on X.

Doha also emphasized the need to "pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, to de-escalate tensions, and to build upon the progress achieved under the memorandum of understanding.”

The US military attacked Iran early Wednesday after it said Tehran struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait.