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According to a statement from the GCC General Secretariat, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi made his remarks while participating in the third plenary session titled Pillars of Regional Security on the sidelines of the 22nd IISS Manama Dialogue 2026 in the Bahraini capital. The secretary general underlined that establishing a stable and sustainable regional security architecture requires strict adherence to the principles of international law, respect for state sovereignty, bolstering collective defence systems, prioritising diplomatic tracks, safeguarding the security of waterways and energy supplies, and cementing development alongside international partnerships. He stressed that the security of the GCC states is indivisible. Albudaiwi noted that the experiences and challenges faced by the council’s members have underscored the necessity of relying on five main pillars to construct a solid regional security framework.
The first pillar focuses on respect for international law and state sovereignty, Albudaiwi explained in his address. “Foremost among these is respect for international law and state sovereignty, through adherence to the principles of good neighbourliness, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for territorial integrity, refraining from the use or threat of force, and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” he stated. A GCC assessment found that this approach must include full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 adopted on March 11, 2026, which Bahrain submitted on behalf of the GCC states and Jordan and which was co-sponsored by 136 nations. The resolution forms a key reference point in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Collective defence and military integration among the GCC states represent the second pillar, according to the secretary general’s presentation. He commended the preparedness of GCC armed forces in responding to attacks while recalling directives issued by council leaders during their 19th consultative meeting in Jeddah last April to deepen military cooperation and expedite completion of an early warning network against ballistic missiles. Prioritising diplomatic solutions constitutes another essential element in the framework that Albudaiwi outlined. Protection of maritime passages and energy infrastructure completes the core operational pillars that support regional resilience.
Developments across the region since February 28 have subjected the foundations of regional security to a severe test, the GCC General Secretariat reported Albudaiwi as saying. He referenced Iranian attacks that targeted GCC member states and their civilian as well as vital installations, resulting in casualties despite the fact that the council countries were not party to the underlying conflict and had instead pursued intensive mediation to contain tensions. The secretary general described such actions as unacceptable escalations whose repercussions cannot be tolerated. These events have reinforced the urgency of unified GCC positions in international forums.
Albudaiwi renewed the call for a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution that secures the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, as a prerequisite for lasting regional peace. He pointed out that the broadened understanding of regional security now encompasses water and food security in addition to addressing climate challenges as vital components for sustaining stability and development. The secretary general’s comments align with longstanding GCC diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalation through dialogue rather than confrontation.
Advancing stability via development and international partnerships forms the fifth pillar that Albudaiwi highlighted in his Manama address. The GCC’s combined economy of nearly $2.4 trillion enhances its capacity to weather crises and amplifies its role in supporting broader regional and global stability, a GCC statement issued after the session noted. Similar positions have been articulated by the secretary general in previous international engagements, including a May 2026 appearance in Prague where the Emirates News Agency reported his affirmation that Gulf stability underpins both the global economy and international maritime security. These consistent messages reflect the council’s strategic vision for collective security that has evolved over more than four decades.
