5 Top Points
- The GCC countries attended the Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Doha.
- The GCC’s Foreign Ministers met with their Iranian counterpart.
- Qatar and Iran signed several agreements.
- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar held phone calls with high-level US officials.
- The Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Ukraine held a phone call.
‘Round and About the Gulf’
Kingdom of Bahrain
Friday, 4 October—The Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, met with Shamina Singh, the President and Founder of the Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth and Executive Vice President of Sustainability at Mastercard. They discussed a strategic partnership in empowering Bahrain’s youth through university initiatives that aim at fostering financial resilience and digital innovation. These initiatives are meant to accelerate Bahrain’s efforts in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Saturday, 5 October— The Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, Mohamed bin Dianah, met with the Chairman of the US-based Tamboran Resources, Richard Stoneburner, to adopt innovative solutions in the energy sector and investment opportunities that boost competitiveness. The Minister highlights the role of US oil companies as leaders in maintenance, production, and exploration advancement, particularly in shale oil. In attendance were the Chairman of Bapco Energies Exploration and Production, Faisal Al-Mahroos and the Chief Executive of Tatweer Petroleum, Johann Pleininger.
State of Kuwait
Saturday, 5 October—Kuwait’s Finance Minister, Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investments, and Acting Oil Minister, Noura Al-Fassam, met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, to strengthen Kuwait’s partnership with the IMF. Held on the sidelines of the 122nd meeting of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee, both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and utilise the IMF expertise in addressing economic reforms. Kuwait will be hosting the next GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation meeting in 2025.
Sultanate of Oman
Sunday, 6 October—A delegation from Oman visited UNICEF’s Global Supply and Logistics Hub in Copenhagen which provided an overview of UNICEF’s procurement and delivery operations and strengthening humanitarian cooperation. The visit comes as Oman recently contributed to UNICEF’s Gaza appeal. The delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Foreign Ministry, the Children First Association, and the Oman Charity Organization, Dar Al-Atta’a. This is in alignment with the Oman Vision 2040 which aims to improve the overall health and education for the well-being of Bahrain’s people and its future.
State of Qatar
Monday, 7 October—Qatar’s ports have experienced a 30% increase in transshipment volumes compared to the first nine months of last year. This comes as Qatar seeks to become a regional trade hub as part of the economic diversification objective set out in the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Wednesday, 2 October—The fourth annual Global Cybersecurity Forum commenced in Riyadh and was attended by policymakers, leaders, and experts from over 120 countries. The forum is organised by Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority with the aim of strengthening international cybersecurity, supporting economic and social development, and aligning global efforts in the field.
Friday, 4 October—The Royal Saudi Air Force took part in the Shield of Sindh exercise with Egypt, Türkiye and the host country, Pakistan. In addition to strengthening relations between the participating states, the exercise aimed at providing combat experience in unconventional and electronic warfare environments.
United Arab Emirates
Sunday, 6 October—The UAE’s Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, launched the Plant the Emirates Initiative to boost food security and Emirati agriculture development. The campaign will also explore ways to reduce UAE’s carbon footprint and develop more sustainable agriculture using drones and artificial intelligence.
Monday, 7 October—The UAE established the Supreme Space Council which will oversee the development of the UAE’s space sector by reviewing strategies and approving laws and policies.
EU Corner
Wednesday, 2 October—The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the EU and NATO, Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al-Malki, hosted a welcome dinner in Brussels for the new Arab and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ambassadors.
Saturday, 5 October—The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of its Mission to the EU, Abdulla bin Faisal Al-Doseri, met with the EU’s Special Representative for the Gulf Region, Luigi Di Maio, at the EEAS headquarters in Brussels.
Monday, 7 October—The EU delegations to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman announced the launch of the 15th Edition of the Chaillot Prize, which honours societal organisations and public and private institutions that promote Human Rights in the GCC Region.
Key Official Visits& Contacts
Wednesday, 2 October—Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, met with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to discuss the regional developments after Iran’s missile attack on Israel.
Thursday, 3 October—Bahrain’s Minister of Information, Ramzan bin Abdullah Al-Noaimi, hosted the British Ambassador to Bahrain, Alastair Long, and the delegation from the regional communications of British Embassies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Coordinated by Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and organised by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the conference concerned the importance of strategic media partnerships to promote regional and global stability.
Thursday, 3 October—The Third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit was held in Doha under the motto “Sports Diplomacy”. The summit stressed the importance of sports as a way to bolster cooperation and development in Asia. GCC officials attended the summit with discussions about the conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and means to achieve the 1967 border as a solution.
Thursday, 3 October—An informal Joint Ministerial Meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the GCC countries and the Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, was held on the sidelines of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit. The meeting concerned de-escalation in the Middle East with the GCC assuring Iran of its neutrality in the conflict between Iran and Israel. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait said they would not permit the US to use their air bases to attack Iran.
Thursday, 3 October—Qatar and Iran signed a joint declaration on the enhancement of their cultural collaboration along with executive programs concerning cooperation on cultural, technical, educational and scientific, and youth and sports issues. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development project of Port of Dayyer in Iran as well as a cooperation protocol in the field of animal health and welfare and live animal trade.
Friday, 4 October— Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, and India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, met on the sidelines of the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue to discuss cooperation and mutual interests between the two countries.
Friday, 4 October—The UAE’s President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, held a phone call with the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, to reaffirm their commitment in pursuing political solutions in the MENA region to prevent further escalation.
Saturday, 5 October—Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al–Saud, held a phone call with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, discussing the regional developments in Lebanon.
Sunday, 6 October—Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, held a phone call with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Ivanoych Sybiha, to discuss developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and efforts to resolve it. This comes as Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced his “Victory Plan” which will be presented to nations supplying arms to Ukraine at the Ramstein group meeting on 12 October 2024.
Tuesday, 8 October— The UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, met with the Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, Kurenkov Alexander Vyacheslavovich, met in Abu Dhabi to discuss key issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in police and security matters. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen their collaboration in civil defence, disaster prevention, and civil protection.