Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council: The strategic dialogue between the GCC countries and Canada enhances the prospects for cooperation and building sustainable strategic partnerships

MANAMA, June 10, 2018 (WAM) – His Excellency Jassim Mohammed Al Budawi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, confirmed that the third joint ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Canada represents an important platform for expanding cooperation horizons, not only in facing current challenges, but also in building sustainable strategic partnerships in various fields of common interest, reflecting the growing status of this relationship and its future importance.

This came during His Excellency’s speech, at the meeting held today in Manama, chaired by His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain – Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council – and in the presence of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and His Excellency Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.

At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council expressed his thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, President of the current session of the Supreme Council, for the facilities and support that Bahrain has provided and is providing for the success of the work of the Cooperation Council and for the support and interest that the joint Gulf action receives from His Majesty and their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders of the GCC countries in all fields.

His Excellency said that today’s meeting is being held in light of complex regional and international developments and circumstances at all levels, following the treacherous Iranian aggression against the GCC countries since the twenty-eighth of February 2026 until the present time, the effects of which have extended to the disruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, causing serious repercussions on the global economy, and that our meeting today in these circumstances and challenges is of special importance, to exchange visions, coordinate positions, and enhance joint cooperation between the GCC and Canada, in a way that contributes to supporting security and stability. And prosperity.

His Excellency renewed his welcome of Security Council Resolution No. 2817 and stressed the importance of its implementation to achieve its goals of protecting international peace and security, and deterring any practices that would threaten the stability of the region or undermine the rules of international law.

In the same context, he expressed appreciation for Canada’s positions in denouncing and denouncing the Iranian attacks on our countries, and its support for efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.

His Excellency stressed that the strategic dialogue between the GCC countries and Canada constitutes a qualitative shift in the relations between the two sides, and that the memorandum of understanding signed between the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Government of Canada established a solid institutional framework for this dialogue, while the joint action plan for the period 2025-2029 came to define the priorities and mechanisms to enhance cooperation in the political and security fields, trade and investment, energy, education, health, and other vital fields.

His Excellency touched on the economic relations between the GCC countries and Canada and said that they have witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, as the volume of trade exchange between the two sides reached about 7.7 billion US dollars in 2025, while the foreign direct investment coming into the GCC countries increased to reach more than 2 billion US dollars in 2024, which reflects the strength of the existing economic relations and the promising potential to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two sides.

His Excellency stressed the importance of building on what has been achieved in the economic relations between the GCC countries and Canada, working to expand the horizons of trade and mutual investment, and enhancing cooperation in the fields of traditional and renewable energy, innovation, advanced technologies, food security, and supply chains, in a way that contributes to achieving sustainable development and supports economic growth and prosperity for our peoples.

His Excellency welcomed Canada’s hosting of the 2026 World Cup finals in partnership with the United States and Mexico, wishing it success.

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