Washington: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi emphasized the longstanding partnership between the United States and the Gulf states, highlighting the relationship's foundation of mutual trust, shared values, and converging interests that have developed over more than four decades. This assertion was made during his keynote address at Georgetown University at the Gulf Studies Forum's second edition, organized in collaboration with the Gulf International Forum and the Centre for Contemporary Arab Studies. The event was attended by several US administration officials and members of Congress.
According to Qatar News Agency, Albudaiwi underscored the strong economic ties between the GCC and the United States, noting that trade between the two regions surpassed $90 billion in 2023. He highlighted the GCC's role in stabilizing global energy markets and supply chains through its exports. Furthermore, he pointed out the substantial Gulf investments in the United States and the expansion of American companies in Gulf markets, signifying a dynamic and growing economic relationship.
Albudaiwi also discussed the educational connections, mentioning that over 37,000 students from GCC countries are currently enrolled in American universities. He emphasized that these students are not only gaining knowledge but also fostering lasting connections between the communities. He described the GCC as a model of integration and resilience, with a young and ambitious population of over 57 million, nearly half under the age of thirty, poised for transformation.
Highlighting the region's economic potential, he stated that the GCC's GDP was approximately $2.1 trillion in 2023, with projections of reaching $6 trillion by 2050. Sovereign wealth funds manage over $3.2 trillion, about one-third of the global total, while foreign reserves exceed $700 billion. He stressed the GCC's commitment to moving beyond oil and gas, investing in clean energy, artificial intelligence, digital economies, and space exploration. He reiterated that the GCC's diversification strategies are ambitious and its commitment to long-term sustainability is unwavering.
On the political front, Albudaiwi addressed Middle Eastern issues, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and instability in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, the Horn of Africa, Sudan, Libya, and Somalia. He affirmed the GCC's role in enhancing security, promoting peace, and providing humanitarian assistance, contributing to global diplomacy.
He also reviewed the national visions of the GCC countries, emphasizing that these are practical blueprints for economic diversification, technological leadership, and social progress. He concluded by expressing the GCC's view of the United States as a key partner in this transformation towards clean energy, advanced technology, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development.