Durham, June (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 25 يونيو 2025ء) His remarks were made during a lecture he delivered today at the Institute of middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Durham University, UK, in the presence of and with the participation of students, faculty members at the university, as well as experts and specialists in Gulf-British relations. The GCC secretary-general highlighted the historic relations between the UK and the GCC, which have spanned decades, as the two sides continue to work together to develop this relationship through annual joint ministerial meetings. He noted that an important initiative in this regard was the GCC-UK Public-Private Partnership Conference, held in London in April 2017. Economic relations also witnessed a qualitative development in June 2022, when negotiations between the two sides began to reach a free-trade agreement. Albudaiwi expressed his hope that a final agreement would be reached as soon as possible.
The secretary-general reviewed the GCC's achievements in all fields and its efforts since its inception to connect with its neighbors and global partners to exchange knowledge and promote shared values, international cooperation, and collective action to build stability and achieve a prosperous future for all. He highlighted the free-trade agreements currently underway to be signed, which confirm the GCC commitment to expanding and diversifying its trade partnerships.
In the context of the GCC's role in regional and international mediation efforts and peacebuilding initiatives, Albudaiwi pointed out that since its establishment in 1981, the GCC has adopted an approach based on preventive diplomacy, a commitment to dialogue, and respect for sovereignty, with a focus on peaceful resolutions to conflicts, away from policies of escalation or external interference. This is clearly evident in its active efforts to resolve conflicts and create a political environment supportive of stability and sustainable development in the region, in addition to providing humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance to those affected by conflicts. The GCC countries have also hosted numerous regional and international conferences to assist these countries.
