GCC Secretary General Participates in ACS Ministerial Council

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi participated in the 29th regular meeting of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Ministerial Council, held on Thursday in Paramaribo, the capital of the Republic of Suriname, where he highlighted the growing partnership between the GCC and ACS and expressed hope for a first-ever summit between the two blocs in the near future. The high-level meeting, attended by Republic of Suriname President Chan Santokhi and representatives of ACS member states and international observers, provided a platform to review bilateral relations and address issues affecting both regions.

Context and Background

The GCC, a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern nations, has been actively expanding its global partnerships under the leadership of its member states. The ACS, comprising 25 member states and 8 associate members from the Caribbean and Central America, represents a significant regional bloc with shared interests in trade, sustainable development, and environmental protection. Relations between the two organizations have gained momentum in recent years, culminating in a joint ministerial meeting on September 18, 2023, in New York City, where they signed a memorandum of understanding to define partnership and cooperation. They also adopted a Joint Action Plan for 2023-2027, outlining objectives for political dialogue, trade and investment facilitation, tourism cooperation, and collaboration in international forums.

Key Details

In his remarks, Albudaiwi stressed that the meeting offers two important opportunities: to discuss and review relations between the GCC and ACS, including issues that affect the peoples of both regions in every aspect, and to address the rapid regional and international developments that give the meeting special significance. He recalled the joint ministerial meeting in New York and the adoption of the Joint Action Plan, which includes mechanisms for political dialogue, encourages trade, investment, and tourism cooperation, and coordinates efforts to confront global economic challenges. Albudaiwi also reiterated the GCC’s firm position on Israeli aggression in Gaza, demanding an immediate and long-term ceasefire, calling on Israeli occupation forces to stop hostilities throughout Gaza and other areas in Palestine, and ensuring the delivery of all humanitarian and relief aid and basic needs for the Palestinian people.

The secretary-general expressed gratitude to Suriname Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation Albert Ramdin, whose country holds the ACS rotating presidency, and to ACS Secretary General Rudolfo Sabonge for the association’s essential role in promoting cooperation, regional integration, and sustainable development, with the aim of creating an attractive economic climate in the region and preserving the environmental integrity of the Caribbean Sea, which is the common heritage of the peoples of the region. At the end of his speech, Albudaiwi thanked the members of the association for their support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in hosting Expo 2030, in line with the Kingdom’s vision and directions, noting that this reflects the development visions of other GCC countries and signifies the culmination of development, economic, and social goals inspired by all the GCC countries.

Implications and Impact

The participation of the GCC Secretary-General in the ACS Ministerial Council underscores the GCC’s commitment to strengthening ties with Latin America and the Caribbean, regions that hold strategic importance for trade, investment, and cultural exchange. The aspiration to hold a first summit in the near future signals a desire to elevate relations to the highest level, potentially unlocking new opportunities for economic cooperation and political coordination. The Joint Action Plan for 2023-2027 provides a concrete framework for advancing these goals, with a focus on facilitating trade and investment, promoting tourism, and coordinating positions in international organizations. The GCC’s stance on Gaza also highlights its active role in addressing regional conflicts and advocating for humanitarian causes on the global stage.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s hosting of Expo 2030, supported by ACS members, aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of showcasing the Kingdom as a global hub for tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. The GCC’s engagement with the ACS reflects the broader objectives of Vision 2030 to diversify partnerships, promote sustainable development, and enhance international cooperation. As the GCC and ACS move toward a closer partnership, the collaboration promises to create new avenues for trade, investment, and mutual prosperity, contributing to a prosperous future and sustainable development for both regions.

20 Questions

Q1. What event did GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi participate in?

A1. He participated in the 29th regular meeting of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Ministerial Council held in Paramaribo, Suriname, on Thursday.

Q2. Who attended the ACS Ministerial Council meeting?

A2. The meeting was attended by Republic of Suriname President Chan Santokhi, representatives of ACS member states, and international observers.

Q3. What did Albudaiwi say about the GCC-ACS relations?

A3. He noted the aspiration of GCC countries and the ACS to hold their first summit in the near future and stressed the importance of developing a closer, long-term partnership.

Q4. What two opportunities did the meeting provide according to Albudaiwi?

A4. He said the meeting provided opportunities to discuss and review relations between the GCC and ACS, including issues affecting both regions, and to address rapid regional and international developments.

Q5. When and where was the joint ministerial meeting between GCC and ACS held?

A5. It was held on September 18, 2023, in New York City, where they signed a memorandum of understanding defining partnership and cooperation.

Q6. What is the Joint Action Plan for 2023-2027?

A6. It is a plan adopted by the GCC and ACS that includes objectives and mechanisms for political dialogue, trade, investment, tourism cooperation, and collaboration in international forums.

Q7. What did Albudaiwi say about the global economy?

A7. He highlighted the GCC countries’ continuous efforts to achieve economic and social growth and prosperity and coordinated efforts to confront challenges facing the global economy.

Q8. What was the GCC’s position on Gaza as stated by Albudaiwi?

A8. He stressed the firm position of the GCC towards Israeli aggression on Gaza, demanding an immediate and long-term ceasefire and ensuring delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

Q9. Whom did Albudaiwi thank for their role in the ACS?

A9. He thanked Suriname Minister of Foreign Affairs Albert Ramdin and ACS Secretary General Rudolfo Sabonge for their essential role in promoting cooperation, regional integration, and sustainable development.

Q10. What environmental concern did Albudaiwi mention?

A10. He mentioned the preservation of the environmental integrity of the Caribbean Sea, which is the common heritage of the peoples of the region.

Q11. What support did ACS members express for Saudi Arabia?

A11. They expressed support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in hosting Expo 2030, in line with the Kingdom’s vision and directions.

Q12. What does Albudaiwi say about Expo 2030 hosting?

A12. He said it reflects the development visions of other GCC countries and signifies the culmination of development, economic, and social goals inspired by all GCC countries.

Q13. What are the main objectives of the GCC-ACS partnership?

A13. The objectives include political dialogue, encouraging trade, investment, and tourism cooperation, and collaboration in international forums and organizations.

Q14. How does the GCC-ACS partnership aim to benefit both regions?

A14. It aims to develop a closer, long-term partnership that serves the interests of both sides and achieves desired goals, creating numerous opportunities in trade and investment.

Q15. What is the significance of the ACS rotating presidency?

A15. Suriname holds the ACS rotating presidency, and its minister of foreign affairs plays a key role in guiding the association’s work.

Q16. What did Albudaiwi say about the strength of GCC-ACS relations?

A16. He noted that the meeting indicates the strength of relations between the GCC and the ACS and recalled the joint ministerial meeting and the signed memorandum of understanding.

Q17. What did Albudaiwi say about the Joint Action Plan’s mechanisms?

A17. He said it included the main objectives and mechanisms of political dialogue, ways to encourage trade, investment, and tourism cooperation, and cooperation in international forums.

Q18. What did Albudaiwi say about the GCC countries’ efforts?

A18. He highlighted the GCC countries’ continuous efforts to achieve economic and social growth and prosperity, and coordinated efforts to confront global economic challenges.

Q19. What did Albudaiwi say about the future of GCC-ACS relations?

A19. He expressed the aspiration to hold their first summit in the near future and stressed the importance of developing a closer, long-term partnership.

Q20. What did Albudaiwi say about the Palestinian cause?

A20. He demanded an immediate and long-term ceasefire, called on Israeli occupation forces to stop hostilities in Gaza and other areas in Palestine, and ensured delivery of humanitarian aid.

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