Manama, November 19, 2023, Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underscored the pivotal role of GCC states as key players and globally trusted partners in ensuring energy security. Speaking during the session on 'The New Politics of Energy Security' at the 19th Manama Dialogue Conference, Albudaiwi emphasized the prominence of the new energy security policy within GCC policies. The conference, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bahrain in collaboration with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), convened from November 17 to 19, 2023, in Manama, Bahrain, and saw the participation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and National Security, as well as experts, politicians, and thinkers from various countries.
Albudaiwi highlighted the GCC's crucial role in the global oil and gas sector, serving as a linchpin in ensuring energy security worldwide. He addressed the multifaceted nature of energy security in the current era, attributing challenges to traditional conflicts, the absence of alternative plans, and the misconception that renewable energy sources can entirely replace fossil fuels. Albudaiwi also pointed to years of underinvestment as contributing factors.
The Secretary General emphasized the GCC's track record of reliability as energy partners, showcasing their commitment to maintaining stability in global energy markets over the decades. He stressed the strategic efforts undertaken by the GCC to enhance energy security, including a focus on renewable energy sources, substantial investments in research and development for sustainable energy solutions, the improvement of energy efficiency practices, and the promotion of private sector collaboration in joint projects.
Albudaiwi further underscored the imperative for countries and international organizations to collaborate in safeguarding energy corridors against various threats, such as military aggression, piracy, and environmental disasters. His call for unity and collective efforts resonated with the broader theme of international cooperation in addressing the complex challenges surrounding energy security.
In summary, the Secretary General's address at the Manama Dialogue Conference affirmed the GCC's commitment to advancing energy security policies and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts on a global scale to protect vital energy infrastructure.
