Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi called for stronger regional integration across energy, trade, and digital transport infrastructure during a symposium co-organized with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Albudaiwi stated that shifts in international supply lines and emerging technologies are rapidly restructuring commercial corridors connecting Gulf nations to Asian markets. While noting that GCC states collectively produce approximately 16.6 million barrels of crude oil per day—accounting for 22.2 percent of global production—he stressed that energy exports alone cannot ensure long-term economic stability.
He emphasized that regional resilience depends on developing integrated infrastructure, digital logistics, and institutional connectivity. In particular, Albudaiwi highlighted cross-border initiatives such as the GCC Interconnection Grid as proven frameworks to reinforce supply-chain security and foster multilateral investment partnerships.
Sources
- Saudi Press Agency · 2026-09-26
