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The GCC General Secretariat reported that the first GCC-Switzerland Joint Ministerial Meeting took place in New York on September 21 with co-chairs Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who leads the current GCC Ministerial Council session, and Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. Foreign ministers from all GCC member states joined the session, which the secretariat described as a milestone in bilateral ties. Al Zayani and Cassis guided discussions that built directly on earlier coordination efforts between the two sides.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stated that the gathering represented a pivotal step toward intensifying political consultation while advancing relations to more proactive levels. In the secretariat’s statement, Albudaiwi highlighted how the meeting built upon progress achieved earlier in 2026. The statement noted that both parties sought to move beyond frameworks into concrete joint initiatives.
Relations between the GCC and Switzerland advanced significantly with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a Strategic Dialogue in Davos during the World Economic Forum in January, according to the GCC General Secretariat. Albudaiwi explained that the GCC aims to convert this agreement into practical steps serving shared interests. A subsequent meeting between Albudaiwi and Cassis in April on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum further reinforced political coordination, particularly on regional security matters.
The GCC General Secretariat has prepared a draft Joint Action Plan that outlines mechanisms for collaboration in political, cultural, developmental and humanitarian fields. Albudaiwi voiced hope that necessary procedures for formal adoption would conclude soon. Once implemented, the plan would broaden the scope of joint work and elevate bilateral engagement, the statement added.
Earlier interactions between the two sides, including a November 2025 discussion on the margins of the Manama Dialogue, had already explored new cooperation opportunities and regional developments, the secretariat’s records show. Switzerland expressed support for GCC positions on various issues during those exchanges. The September ministerial session thus continues a pattern of steadily deepening ties that began with the initial strategic dialogue agreement.
The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, allowing GCC ministers to align positions across multiple international forums. Albudaiwi has previously noted that such gatherings reflect the member states’ growing role in multilateral diplomacy. Discussions also touched on translating high-level commitments into tangible outcomes that benefit both regions.
