Makkah, March 6, 2025 – The 163rd Ministerial Council meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to take place in Makkah on Thursday, as confirmed by GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. The meeting will be presided over by Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Yahya, who holds the current presidency of the GCC Ministerial Council. The session will be attended by foreign ministers from GCC member states, who will gather to discuss a range of important issues affecting the region.
Albudaiwi outlined that the meeting would feature joint ministerial sessions with representatives from Egypt, Syria, Morocco, and Jordan. These include Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, Badr Abdelatty; Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Asaad Al Shibani; Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita; and Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi. These bilateral discussions will focus on strengthening strategic relations and enhancing joint cooperation across various fields, with the aim of achieving mutual interests and bolstering ties between the GCC and these key regional partners.
The GCC Ministerial Council will review a series of reports regarding the implementation of decisions made during the 45th Supreme Council summit held in Kuwait in December 2024. The ministers will also discuss memorandums and reports submitted by the ministerial and technical committees, as well as those from the General Secretariat. Key topics of discussion will include strategic dialogues, the strengthening of relations between the GCC and other states, and collaboration with global blocs. Additionally, the Council will address pressing regional and international developments that have significant implications for the Gulf region, ensuring that the GCC remains proactive in responding to challenges that impact its security and stability.
The discussions are expected to be comprehensive, reflecting the GCC’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including political, economic, and security matters. By continuing their consultations and coordinating on regional and international issues, the GCC member states aim to foster stability and security in the Gulf and the broader Middle East region. The upcoming meeting in Makkah will serve as a crucial platform for advancing the collective objectives of the GCC, reinforcing its role as a key regional player in addressing global and regional challenges.