GCC Secretary General: Integration of Gulf capabilities and diversification of supply routes strengthen market security and stability
The GCC Secretary General emphasized the importance of integrating Gulf capabilities and diversifying supply routes to enhance market stability and address crises.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
- Al-Badawi: The GCC railway project represents one of the strategic projects supporting Gulf integration
- Disruptions in sea lanes and rising shipping and insurance costs underscore the importance of enhancing Gulf coordination
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Al-Bedaiwi, affirmed on Sunday that strengthening connectivity between transport networks and logistics services in GCC member states constitutes a fundamental pillar for safeguarding Gulf economic security and ensuring the continuity of trade flows and goods movement. He noted that the integration of Gulf capabilities and diversification of supply routes enhance the GCC states’ capacity to confront crises and maintain the stability of their markets.
This statement was made during Al-Bedaiwi’s address at the 30th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Transport and Communications Committee, held in the Bahraini capital of Manama, chaired by Bahrain’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Dr. Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and attended by members of the GCC Ministers of Transport and Communications Committee, including Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works, Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan.
Al-Bedaiwi clarified that the rapid transformations occurring in the region and worldwide, accompanied by disruptions in sea lanes and increases in shipping and insurance costs, have underscored the strategic importance of the transport and logistics sector in supporting market stability and the continuity of trade and vital services. He emphasized the necessity of enhancing Gulf coordination to improve responsiveness to these changes.
He also expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Sultanate of Oman for their cooperation, facilitation, and coordination efforts during the period of Iranian aggression, which contributed to providing alternative routes for the movement of goods and commodities and ensuring the continuity of supply chains to other GCC states. He affirmed that these efforts embodied the depth of Gulf solidarity and translated Gulf integration into practical measures supporting economic security and shared interests.
He pointed out that GCC investments in developing land, air, and sea transport sectors, as well as infrastructure and logistics facilities, have contributed to enhancing the efficiency of the transport system and supporting economic activity. He noted that the transport and storage sector in GCC states achieved real growth of 5.7 percent in 2025, making it one of the highest-growing non-oil economic activities.
The Secretary-General stressed that the priorities for the coming phase include enhancing integration between transport and logistics systems, diversifying transport and supply routes, and raising readiness and joint coordination to confront crises, thereby strengthening supply chain resilience and ensuring the continuous flow of goods and products.
In this context, he referred to the directives of the GCC Heads of State, may God protect and guard them, during the 19th Consultative Meeting of the Supreme Council, held in Jeddah on April 28, 2026, to prepare a study on enhancing logistical integration among GCC states, noting that the meeting reviews the progress made in preparing this study.
He affirmed that the GCC railway project, targeted for completion by the end of 2030, represents one of the strategic projects supporting Gulf integration, given its role in facilitating the movement of passengers and cargo, linking land transport networks with ports and logistics hubs, and enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the Gulf transport system.
The Secretary-General concluded his speech by emphasizing the importance of continuing joint efforts to develop the transport and communications sector, expressing his appreciation to the committee members for their efforts in serving the GCC states and their peoples, and advancing the course of Gulf cooperation and integration.
