Collective Defence Pact

HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attendedthe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) consultative summit in Jeddah on Monday, where leaders of the six-member bloc discussed regional security, infrastructure integration and coordination amid escalating regional tensions.

The meeting, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, brought together GCC heads of state to review developments across the Middle East and the international arena.

GCC Pushes Integration

GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi said leaders focused on strengthening strategic integration, including major infrastructure and defence projects, amid growing regional instability.

The summit discussed recent security developments, including attacks that GCC states attributed to Iran against member countries and Jordan. Leaders condemned the incidents that targeted civilian infrastructure, describing them as violations of sovereignty and international law.

In a joint position, GCC leaders called for accelerating key regional projects, including a Gulf oil and gas pipeline network, a regional water interconnection system, and the development of strategic stockpile zones. They also urged faster progress on military integration, particularly an early warning system for ballistic missile threats.

The leaders reaffirmed that the security of GCC states is “indivisible” under the bloc’s joint defence framework, stating that any attack on one member is an attack on all. They also reiterated their right to individual and collective self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Al-Budaiwi said the summit also stressed the importance of rebuilding trust, enhancing collective security, and strengthening long-term economic and strategic resilience.