RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council countries are gaining recognition as key players in reinforcing global energy security, the organization’s secretary-general has said.
Speaking at the 19th Manama Dialogue Conference titled “Regional Security Summit,” Jassim Al-Budaiwi emphasized the GCC’s role as a trusted global partner in the energy sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
“Energy security occupies a prominent place in the policies of the GCC countries,” he said.
Organized by Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the summit convened from Nov. 17-19 in Manama.
The event saw participation from various foreign ministers, defense and national security officials, experts and prominent thinkers from numerous countries.
Al-Budaiwi underscored the broader ambition of the GCC countries to shape energy policies that balance traditional resources and the shift toward sustainable alternatives.
The secretary-general also pointed to the need for a comprehensive understanding of energy security in modern times, influenced by factors such as traditional conflict, absence of alternative plans and years of insufficient investment.
He criticized misleading narratives that suggest alternative energy sources can completely replace fossil fuels and further highlighted the decades-long reliability of the GCC as an energy partner. Al-Budaiwi also emphasized the region’s commitment to stabilizing global energy markets.
“The GCC countries recognize the importance of traditional energy supplies in the long term to ensure energy security and affordability, where the council’s members have also adopted renewable energy sources, as evident from their national development plans,” he said.
The summit also focused on the necessity of international cooperation to protect energy infrastructure and routes, confront potential military and cyberthreats and ensure long-term energy security despite short-term challenges.
