Al-Badawi: Strengthening Relations with Russia and Elevating Bilateral Cooperation

Bahrain, Manama – Sunday, 2026-10-11

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Al-Budaiwi, affirmed in Manama today that GCC member states attach special importance to consolidating their relations with the Russian Federation, based on shared interests and a mutual desire to elevate the levels of cooperation and coordination between the two sides, thereby opening broader horizons for Gulf-Russian partnership.

This statement came during Al-Budaiwi’s address at the Ninth Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation, chaired by Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and attended by the foreign ministers of the GCC member states, including Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jaraah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Secretary-General stated that today’s joint ministerial meeting takes place at a highly critical juncture for our region, where GCC countries are facing unprecedented attacks undermining their security and sovereignty, and where maritime navigation and energy supplies are under direct threat. This situation underscores the importance of the strategic dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation, and the need to intensify consultation and coordination between the two sides on regional and international issues of common interest, contributing to consolidating the foundations of security and stability and resolving conflicts through peaceful means in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

He pointed out that among the most serious challenges facing our region are Iranian aggression, which has targeted GCC countries since February 28, 2026, with more than 7,000 ballistic missiles and drones targeting airports, ports, power stations, water desalination plants, and oil and gas facilities, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians. This constitutes a war in which the GCC states were not parties, but rather made every effort to shield the region from its dire repercussions, despite the blatant attacks and violations of their sovereignty and territorial integrity they endured.

Al-Budaiwi added that these attacks were not limited to direct Iranian assaults but extended to include attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia, which escalated its strikes against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, targeting airports, civilian objects, and energy facilities. This included the brutal attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10, which killed 12 people of various nationalities, including citizens and residents, and injured more than 300 others, in a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

In this context, the Secretary-General affirmed the GCC’s unity in standing shoulder to shoulder with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, expressing its full solidarity with the Kingdom and supporting all measures it takes to protect its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents on its territory.

He also called on the international community to adopt a firm and deterrent stance against attacks targeting the security and stability of the Kingdom, condemning what these attacks represent as a threat to regional peace and security and a violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2722.

Al-Budaiwi noted that Iran’s attempt to disrupt navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption passes, along with its efforts to impose restrictions and fees on transit passage rights, and the threats posed by its proxies to navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, constitute a violation of the international rules governing navigation in straits used for international navigation, and pose a threat to energy security, food security, and global supply chains.

He stated that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) emphasizes the necessity of restoring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-February 28, 2026, status, and the importance of fully implementing Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which strongly condemned Iranian attacks on GCC member states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and called for an immediate halt to all Iranian aggression.

In the same context, he said that the GCC looks forward to the Russian Federation, as a permanent member of the Security Council, playing an active role in pressuring Iran to comply with Resolution 2817 (2026), cease its attacks, respect freedom of navigation, and engage in serious dialogue with GCC states based on the principles of good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs.

He also noted that the Palestinian issue remains at the forefront of the GCC’s priorities. In this regard, the Council reaffirms its firm and supportive stance regarding the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. The GCC also appreciates the Russian Federation’s firm and supportive position toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and its recognition of it since 1988. Furthermore, the Council emphasizes its support for the necessity of consolidating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and proceeding with the implementation of the second phase, which would ensure a complete Israeli withdrawal, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, the beginning of recovery and reconstruction, and the unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority. It also rejects any attempts at displacement or altering the legal and historical character of Jerusalem, and supports the continued operation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in fulfilling its mandate.

Regarding the Syrian issue, Al-Badawi affirmed the GCC’s firm and supportive stance toward the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, and the importance of supporting efforts to enhance its security and stability, and to realize the aspirations of the Syrian people for security, development, and prosperity, thereby contributing to consolidating security and stability in the region.

On the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, he stated that the GCC reiterates the importance of prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy in addressing the crisis, and supports all efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful, political, and comprehensive settlement in accordance with the principles of international law and the UN Charter, which would contribute to achieving security and stability.

He also highlighted that the GCC takes pride in the tangible contributions made by member states to mitigate the humanitarian repercussions of the crisis, including the Emirati mediation that resulted in the exchange of thousands of prisoners between the two sides, Saudi efforts involving hosting talks in Jeddah and Riyadh between the concerned parties, and Qatari mediation that facilitated the return of over a hundred children to their families. These efforts exemplify the GCC states’ steadfast approach of supporting peaceful initiatives and building trust among the parties.

He also expressed his hope for continuing to develop joint GCC-Russian cooperation and enhancing collaboration in political, commercial, cultural, educational, agricultural, health, energy, and other sectors, within the framework of the joint action plan between the GCC and the Russian Federation for the period 2023–2028, which would contribute to realizing shared interests and supporting development and prosperity pathways for both sides.

He clarified that, in the same context, a joint technical meeting was scheduled to be held in the Russian capital, Moscow, between specialists and relevant parties from both sides, with the aim of discussing areas of mutual cooperation and reviewing the priorities, initiatives, and proposals of both sides. However, the unfortunate circumstances that have swept the region prevented the meeting from taking place at the targeted time. Coordination will be reinitiated to hold the meeting, in order to activate the agreed-upon areas of cooperation within the framework of the action plan.

He expressed hope that the Ninth Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Russian Federation, held today, would serve as an opportunity to deepen political and security consultations and enhance coordination and cooperation between the GCC and the Russian Federation, in a manner that contributes to achieving security, peace, development, and stability in the region and worldwide.