Manama: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi emphasized the significance of the third GCC-Canada ministerial meeting as a crucial platform to expand cooperation and build sustainable strategic partnerships across fields of common interest. This development underscores the growing importance of the relationship between the GCC and Canada.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Albudaiwi made these remarks during the meeting held in Bahrain, chaired by Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif Al-Zayani, and attended by foreign ministers from the GCC states and Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Albudaiwi highlighted the meeting's context amid complex regional and international developments, particularly following continued Iranian aggression against GCC states since February 2026, which has disrupted navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, affecting the global economy.
The GCC Secretary-General welcomed the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, stressing its importance in achieving international security and peace. He appreciated Canada's stance in condemning Iranian attacks on GCC states and its support for enhancing regional security, aligned with United Nations principles. Albudaiwi noted that the strategic dialogue with Canada marks a shift in relations, reinforced by a memorandum of understanding that establishes a framework for cooperation and a Joint Action Plan for 2025-2029 focused on political, security, trade, energy, education, and health sectors.
Albudaiwi also addressed the economic ties between the GCC states and Canada, noting a trade volume of approximately $7.7 billion in 2025 and a foreign direct investment inflow exceeding $2 billion in 2024. These figures reflect strong economic relations and potential for further trade and investment cooperation.
He stressed the importance of building on economic progress, expanding trade and investment horizons, and enhancing cooperation in energy, innovation, food security, and supply chains to achieve sustainable development and support economic growth for the peoples of the GCC and Canada.