S/PV.10128 Security Council

I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Mr. Michael G. Waltz, Permanent Representative of the United States of America, for his service as President of the Council for the month of March. I am sure I speak for all members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Waltz and his team for the great diplomatic skill with which they conducted the Council’s business last month. Adoption of the agenda Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security Gulf Cooperation Council Letter dated 30 March 2026 from the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/2026/260)

In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, and His Excellency Mr. Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2026/260, which contains a letter dated 30 March 2026 from the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting a concept paper on the item under consideration. I now give the floor to Mr. Khiari. Mr. Khiari: I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to address the Security Council on its first-ever consideration of cooperation between the United Nations and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), alongside His Excellency Mr. Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC. At a time of heightened regional tensions, partnership with regional and subregional organizations, such as the GCC, remains indispensable. It is a vital part of our collective efforts to promote regional peace, security and stability. As we meet today, the Middle East stands at a dangerous precipice. The Secretary-General has condemned the military strikes carried out against the Islamic Republic of Iran on 28 February, as well as the attacks launched by Iran against the countries of the GCC and Jordan. These actions are clear violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries affected. All actors must pull back from the brink and immediately cease hostilities. In its resolution 2817 (2026), the Council demanded the immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. These attacks have been condemned by the Council and must stop now. Escalating hostilities are posing an acute and rapidly growing threat to international peace and security. Attacks on energy infrastructure and other civilian sites are particularly alarming. They are causing devastating harm to civilians and creating serious risks for the global economy, especially for the most vulnerable. Disruptions to maritime routes in the Gulf and surrounding waters are also having global economic repercussions. They heighten the risk of broader confrontation. All parties must respect freedom of navigation, which is a cornerstone of international maritime law. The United Nations system is fully mobilized to mitigate the consequences of this spiralling conflict. However, the most effective way to do so is clear: the fighting must stop now. The Secretary-General remains in close contact with leaders across the region and beyond. To reinforce the diplomatic efforts of the United Nations, he has appointed Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy to lead United Nations efforts on the Middle East conflict and its consequences. The ongoing escalation and its consequences underline the urgent need for coordinated multilateral action. In this regard, strengthened cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC is imperative. The GCC and its member States have played a pivotal role in defusing regional tensions and facilitating mediation in deeply complex situations. They have also shown restraint in the face of current volatility and rising tensions. They have an important role to play in supporting de-escalation, safeguarding regional stability and promoting pathways towards dialogue. While the current war dominates international attention, conflicts elsewhere, including in the Middle East, continue unabated. In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza and advancing the implementation of Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) remain urgent priorities. These steps are necessary not only to stabilize the situation, but also to create space for meaningful recovery efforts. Those efforts must be Palestinian-led and must preserve the unity of Gaza and the occupied West Bank. It is imperative to protect the territorial, political and institutional integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Progress in Gaza cannot be pursued in isolation from the broader context affecting the Palestinian people as a whole. In this regard, GCC support has been instrumental in mobilizing political attention and resources for humanitarian response and early recovery efforts. It has also helped to reinforce a unified regional approach to a sustainable political horizon. In the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Nations continues to engage closely with the Government and members of the GCC to coordinate support for an inclusive, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political transition. The United Nations remains ready and committed to doing everything possible to help the Syrian people realize their legitimate aspirations and to support stability in the region. We welcome the GCC’s continued support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and stability. We are equally grateful for its support for the State to exercise exclusive authority throughout its territory, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 1701 (2006). We also appreciate the GCC’s support for the flash appeal launched by the Secretary-General in Beirut on 13 March. In Yemen, the United Nations continues its efforts to preserve space for the resumption of a Yemeni-led political process to end the conflict, despite the Houthis’ escalating actions. In this regard, close coordination with members of the GCC remains crucial. We also welcome the GCC’s continued engagement on the Sudan, including its support for mediation efforts. Close collaboration between our two organizations is important to create conditions conducive to a ceasefire and pave the way for a political process. The United Nations also attaches great importance to its partnership with the GCC in preventing and countering terrorism. In this context, we welcome the strong cooperation between the GCC and the Office of Counter-Terrorism. The United Nations and the GCC have long shared common objectives in the pursuit of regional peace, security and stability. In June 2025, the General Assembly adopted resolution 79/295 on cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC. The resolution welcomes the enhanced partnership between our two organizations in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and mediation. It also opens new opportunities for collaboration. The United Nations remains committed to deepening its partnership with the GCC. This is not only timely, it is necessary. We must draw on our comparative advantages and respective strengths in the pursuit of regional peace and stability. We stand ready to continue working with the GCC to strengthen our joint efforts to advance peaceful solutions in the region. At a time of profound regional volatility, the value of this cooperation is clearer than ever.

I thank Mr. Khiari for his briefing. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Albudaiwi.

Allow me at the outset to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for the invitation today to participate in this high-level briefing on cooperation between the United Nations and Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) under the agenda item “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security”. It is an honour for me to present the first ever briefing delivered by a GCC Secretary-General to the Security Council since the GCC’s establishment. This is an important turning point and a new beginning towards greater support and coordination that will benefit all partners. I would also like to congratulate the Kingdom of Bahrain on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month, and I wish you every success, Mr. President. I had intended to begin this briefing by reporting on the GCC and its regional and international relations and partnerships. However, the aggression currently carried out by Iran against GCC States has prevented me from doing so. Since 28 February 2026 and until the present moment, GCC States have been subjected to treacherous Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and armed drones. These attacks have targeted civilian and vital facilities, including civilian airports, oil installations, water desalination plants, ports, fuel storage facilities, service facilities, residential and commercial areas and diplomatic missions. They have resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians and military staff, caused major material damage and imperilled the security and safety of the citizens and residents of the country. In this regard, the GCC condemns in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian attacks, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of GCC States and of the principles of good neighbourliness, as well as a clear breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Moreover, the targeting of civilians and civilian objects constitutes a grave violation of the rules of international humanitarian law. The GCC maintains that such acts cannot be justified under any circumstances. The GCC reaffirms the need for an immediate halt to these attacks in order to restore security, peace and stability in the region. It also stresses the importance of ensuring the safety of air, sea and maritime corridors, the integrity of supply routes and the stability of global energy markets. While welcoming resolution 2817 (2026), which condemned these attacks and called for them to cease, the GCC stresses the need for the resolution to be implemented fully and for the necessary measures to be taken to ensure compliance with it and to prevent the recurrence of such attacks, thereby contributing to the maintenance of regional and international peace and security. In this context, the GCC States assert their inherent right to self-defence, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. The GCC States are taking all necessary measures to protect their sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety of their citizens and residents, without prejudice to their unwavering commitment obligation to avoid a slide into conflict that serves no one’s interests. Indeed, the GCC States do not call for war. Rather, they call for peace, security and the stability that all peoples deserve, while also affirming that dialogue and diplomacy remain the best means of resolving crises and that continued escalation is likely to undermine regional security and have serious repercussions for international peace and security. Iran’s destabilizing actions in the Arabian Gulf are crossing all the red lines. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, blocking the passage of commercial vessels and oil tankers, and has imposed fees on certain vessels for passing through the Strait. Moreover, the scope of the conflict has been widened by the Houthis’ attempts to block the Strait at the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, in a clear violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We affirm that the disruption to navigation is not confined to the borders of the GCC States, but extends to many countries around the world, which are now suffering from shortages of oil, gas and fertilizers and petrochemicals derived therefrom. We call upon the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities fully and take all necessary measures to protect the waterways and ensure the continuity of international navigation in safety and security. The GCC therefore underscores the importance of adopting a Security Council resolution that makes it possible to employ all available and necessary means to protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to halt attacks on vessels and ensure free passage and that calls upon Iran to stop its attacks on ships and tankers in order to reach a sustainable solution and ensure the security of the navigation corridor. We reiterate the desire of the GCC States to establish normal relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and to work with the Council to resolve all the GCC States’ security concerns, including the Iranian nuclear programme and the three occupied Emirati islands, in a fully transparent manner by taking a number of steps that demonstrate good faith from the Iranian side. Those steps include adhering to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of States and refraining from activities that destabilize the region and from supporting armed militias. Moreover, the GCC calls upon the Security Council to take all necessary measures, first, to bring about the immediate cessation of Iranian attacks against GCC States; secondly, to adopt appropriate measures to secure maritime corridors and ensure the continued freedom of international navigation in all maritime straits; and thirdly, to involve the GCC States in any talks or agreements with the Iranian side, so as to promote the maintenance of their security and stability and prevent such attacks from happening again. Although this may be the first time that the Gulf Cooperation Council has addressed the Security Council, it is not the first time that the Gulf Cooperation Council has fulfilled its international responsibilities. The GCC States have, for decades, been reliable partners of the United Nations politically, socially and economically and have actively supported its programmes, working to promote stability in various regions around the world, particularly as Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations stipulates that regional organizations play a vital role in maintaining collective security. In this context, in March 2024 the GCC adopted its regional security strategy, a comprehensive document aimed at ensuring security and stability in the region and the world at large. Relations between the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the United Nations have deepened their roots since the GCC’s establishment in 1981 and have grown stronger over the decades, within an integrated framework of institutional cooperation mechanisms that have materialized in the conclusion of memorandums of understanding with a number of United Nations agencies and specialized organizations. These agreements have established a framework for regular consultation, information exchange and coordination, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the joint response to regional and international challenges. Among the most significant milestones in the GCC’s regional and international cooperation efforts was the adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 79/295, concerning cooperation between the United Nations and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, which heralded a new stage in the partnership between the two sides. Coordination between them has since been considered a fundamental pillar in the management of regional crises, as that partnership combines the international legitimacy represented by the United Nations with the GCC’s deep understanding of regional specificities, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the international response and contributing to the containment of crises. The GCC has never once been a party to those crises. Rather, it has been a partner in finding solutions based on dialogue and diplomacy. It has supported paths to stability on a number of regional issues and has continued to coordinate with the United Nations and its international partners in addressing crises and strengthening regional and international security, embodying its efforts as a leading, established model for regional efforts based on integration, not to mention its wealth of experience, which contributes to supporting stability and strengthening dialogue and reconciliation. Among the many efforts undertaken by the GCC in the humanitarian and development spheres and in supporting stability among various parties, allow me to briefly outline the GCC’s role in Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon and Syria. I begin here with the GCC’s foremost issue — namely, the Palestinian question — by listing the numerous efforts being made by GCC States to champion this issue on all levels. Chief among them are the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its chairmanship of the Arab and Islamic committee on Gaza, which was established by the Arab and Islamic summit to stop the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also spearheading the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which resulted in the adoption of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, adopted by the General Assembly in September 2025. This is in addition to the tireless efforts being made by the State of Qatar, in conjunction with its regional and international partners, to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees and the delivery of all humanitarian assistance to civilians. In this context, we commend the various ongoing efforts by Gulf States to provide assistance to the Palestinian people, despite our present circumstances. With regard to the Yemeni question, the GCC continues to offer its unwavering support to the United Nations and its Special Envoy to the sisterly Republic of Yemen, as part of efforts to reach a comprehensive and just political solution that achieves security and stability in Yemen and preserves its sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and independence. The solution must be based on the Initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and resolution 2216 (2015) as the overarching frameworks upon which any lasting political solution must be based. The leaders of the GCC States, through their development funds and the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, are making concerted efforts to support humanitarian and development assistance in Yemen. Regarding Lebanon, the leaders of the GCC States have undertaken significant efforts to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and have called for the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), stressing the need for Israel to respect Lebanon’s borders and for the Lebanese Government to assert control over all its territory and ensure that arms are confined to the State. Today we are witnessing attacks by Israeli occupation forces that violate Lebanese sovereignty, resulting in more than 1,000 civilian casualties, thousands of injuries and the displacement of more than 1 million residents of southern Lebanon, who represent 20 per cent of the total population, and the destruction of infrastructure and health and civilian facilities, as well as attacks suffered by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Regarding Syria, the GCC States have led intensive efforts to pave the way for Syria’s stabilization and reintegration into its Arab and international environment, reflecting their commitment to Syria’s unity and sovereignty and creating the necessary conditions for restoring its internal security and revitalizing its national economy. The GCC States have played a major role in lifting the international sanctions imposed on Syria. They also provided humanitarian and development aid to rebuild infrastructure in the electricity and energy sectors and supported Syrian State institutions. Development funds in the GCC States have contributed by providing grants and development aid to countries around the world in the areas of infrastructure, health and social services. Member States have supported recovery and reconstruction programmes through international financial institutions . I would like to highlight the importance of the humanitarian role of the GCC States, which, from 2020 through 2025, provided more than $14 billion, making the GCC States, collectively, the fourth-largest humanitarian donor globally. Furthermore, the GCC States have actively contributed to sustaining peace, preventing conflict, empowering women and youth, ensuring food and environmental security, and fostering a culture of dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. This includes the Kingdom of Bahrain’s success in March 2025 in securing a General Assembly resolution designating 28 January of each year as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence (General Assembly resolution 79/269), as well as the unanimous adoption by the Human Rights Council in Geneva, in October, of the resolution submitted by the State of Qatar, entitled “Promotion and protection of the human rights of women and children in conflict and post-conflict situations: ensuring justice, remedies and reparation for victims” (Human Rights Council resolution 60/19), as well as the State of Qatar’s hosting, in November, of the World Summit for Social Development. In the area of humanitarian aid, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates rank sixth and eighth, respectively, among global humanitarian donors, according to the 2024 funding tracking system of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Regarding efforts to ensure food security, the State of Kuwait, through its development arm, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, has funded hundreds of projects worldwide that help address global food security risks. As for efforts to achieve security and peace, the Sultanate of Oman stands as a prominent model in this field, serving as a trusted mediator at the regional and international levels and making numerous efforts to broker reconciliation among various parties in the region. Perhaps its recent efforts between the United States and Iran are the best evidence of this. What fills us, the citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council, with pride and honour is the high standing our countries have attained in the global economy and in development indicators. The GCC is a cornerstone of the global economy, especially given that the combined gross domestic product of GCC countries reached $2.3 trillion in 2024. Secondly, GCC States produce 16 million barrels of crude oil per day, equivalent to 22 per cent of total global production. Thirdly, GCC States account for 27 per cent of total global crude oil exports, amounting to 11.5 million barrels per day. Fourthly, GCC States hold 33 per cent of global oil reserves, approximately 512 billion barrels, and 21 per cent of natural gas reserves, totalling 44 million cubic metres. Fifthly, the GCC States produce 442 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, representing 10 per cent of global production. These indicators highlight the pivotal role of GCC States in the international energy system and underscore the following two facts. First, any disruption in the Gulf directly affects global markets. This has become evident recently, as shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has been impacted by current events, leading to higher oil prices and increased shipping and marine insurance costs and posing a threat to energy security and global economic stability. Secondly, these data show that the stability of the Arabian Gulf region is not merely a regional matter but rather an imperative to keep the global economy functioning and to avoid a catastrophic energy crisis that could lead to a global recession. I would like to conclude by emphasizing that we are not facing a passing crisis but instead a true test of the credibility of the international system. Either collective security prevails and is safeguarded, or we leave the world vulnerable to the rule of force alone. We, in the Gulf Cooperation Council, are advocates of stability and partners in responsibility. We extend our hand in peace, but we will not compromise our security nor tolerate infringement of our territorial sovereignty. We will not accept that the stability of our region be held hostage to chaos nor that the global economy become captive to threats against corridors. We must ensure that the Arabian Gulf, despite all challenges, remains a region of stability, not an arena of conflict — an active partner in security, not a burden on it.

I thank His Excellency Mr. Albudaiwi for his briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. (spoke in Arabic) At the outset, I am honoured to convey the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. I express their deep appreciation for the constructive role played by the Security Council and the efforts it makes to maintain international peace and security. I am pleased to express my great pride in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s non-permanent membership in the Security Council in 2026–2027 and the Kingdom’s presidency of the Council’s meetings during this session. In this regard, I would like to thank the delegation of the United States of America for its presidency last month. I am pleased to thank His Excellency Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, for his valuable briefing. I thank His Excellency, Mr. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, for his comprehensive briefing, and we appreciate his acceptance of the invitation to participate in this meeting. I express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Member States for the adoption of resolution 2817 (2026), submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain on behalf of the member States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on the illegal Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones that were meticulously pre‑planned, thus reflecting Iran’s aggressive intentions towards our peaceful countries, which are neighbours to Iran. These attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure and vital facilities and residential areas, including airports, ports, hotels, energy facilities, factories, universities, food security services, public service sites, residential areas, water stations and diplomatic premises, causing significant losses of life and property. We thank God Almighty that the efficiency and preparedness of the armed forces and air defence systems in the GCC States and Jordan courageously and efficiently intercepted these ballistic missiles and drones, dealing with them with a high sense of professionalism, thereby helping to neutralize the threat, reduce its effects and protect lives and vital establishments and capabilities. We express our appreciation for the Security Council’s firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the GCC States. We thank them for the wide support the resolution received from 136 United Nations Member States. This is a strong indication of the international community’s strong rejection of these Iranian attacks, which violate international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of good neighbourliness. In this context, the Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes the adoption, by the Human Rights Council in Geneva, of draft resolution A/HRC/61/L.38, which was submitted by my country, Bahrain, addressing the human rights implications of the treacherous Iranian attacks targeting GCC States and Jordan. The resolution was adopted during an urgent debate held on 25 March, during the current session. That resolution received unprecedented support from 115 co‑sponsoring States. This reflects the international community’s will and commitment to the protection of human rights. The resolution includes an explicit and strongly worded condemnation of Iran’s attacks as a grave violation of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law. This international human rights position, which we greatly appreciate, confirms the international community’s absolute rejection of Iran’s repeated violations, which are acts that disregard international law, treaties and Security Council resolutions. These actions lack all values, be they religious, moral or humanitarian. It is deeply regrettable that the Islamic Republic of Iran did not simply stop at its treacherous attacks on the GCC States and Jordan, including their civilian infrastructure, where it spilled the pure blood of innocent people and terrorized citizens and residents. Rather, it went further and now threatens the global economy through closing the Strait of Hormuz and restricting the freedom of international navigation through it. These actions endanger energy security, food supplies and global trade. These actions are a blatant violation of international law and of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We commend the Council for emphasizing, in resolution 2817 (2026), the importance of maritime security and the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and for recognizing that any disruption to such vital waterways could have serious implications for international trade and global economic stability. Based on the above, the Kingdom of Bahrain submitted a draft resolution to the Council on Iran’s unlawful and unjustified attempt to control international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, placing before the Council a challenge that requires a decisive response to such irresponsible and illegitimate actions, which threaten the interests of nations and peoples around the world. We are confident that this draft resolution is consistent with international law and with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which regulates the right of transit passage through straits without obstruction, which is what Iran is doing today. We look forward to a unified position from the Council during the vote that will take place on the draft resolution tomorrow. As the Kingdom of Bahrain holds the current presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council, I wish to thank the Security Council for dedicating this meeting to discussing the cooperation between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council. This is a relationship that the GCC member States have consistently sought to strengthen in full commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The GCC believes that this active partnership with the United Nations can enhance the vital role of regional organizations in addressing global challenges and conflicts, as stipulated by Chapter VIII of the Charter. Since its establishment 45 years ago, the Gulf Cooperation Council has consistently stated that it is an active and interactive regional organization that is deeply engaged with regional and international issues and contributes to the enhancement of regional peace and security. The GCC has always sought to share the world’s concerns, support its just causes and use all of its capabilities, relations and global partnerships to help promote regional and international stability, be it through mediating or through supporting diplomatic solutions, humanitarian assistance and counter‑terrorism efforts, or through combating organized crime, promoting tolerance, coexistence and human fraternity, supporting sustainable development in least developed countries, protecting the environment and advocating for a lasting and comprehensive peace. In accordance with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter on the importance of regional organizations and the role they play in resolving disputes and contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security, the GCC played a prominent role in resolving the Yemeni crisis in 2011. It did so through the Initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its implementation mechanism, which helped to stop the bloodshed and resolve the crisis peacefully and which remains, to this day, one of the international benchmarks for resolving the Yemeni crisis. Furthermore, the GCC has played an active role in defusing regional conflicts and supporting efforts aimed at resolving crises in a number of countries in the region such as Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Libya and Gaza, and it continues to play that role in cooperation and partnership with the United Nations and peace-loving nations. Cooperation between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council within the ambit of Chapter VIII of the Charter continues to grow, although it has yet to constitute a comprehensive institutional framework, despite its great potential for strengthening international peace and security. Experience has shown, particularly through the Initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Yemen, that effective coordination between regional and international efforts can yield tangible results in terms of supporting political processes and de-escalating tensions. On the basis of this experience, there is a clear need to develop a more organized and structured mechanism for coordinating the efforts of the United Nations and regional organizations so as to enhance consistency and complementarity in addressing growing challenges. In this context, we underscore the importance of working towards the establishment of regular, periodic meetings, including annual meetings between the Security Council and regional organizations, thereby enhancing strategic consultations and the exchange of assessments and supporting a more effective collective response to regional and international crises. We in the Gulf Cooperation Council recognize the importance of strengthening cooperation and partnership with the United Nations in many vital areas and the need to use all available means to achieve our common goals, including the appropriate mechanisms for promoting dialogue, strategic cooperation, joint coordination and greater consultation vis-à-vis the efforts of the United Nations in relation to the maintenance of international peace and security, humanitarian action, sustainable development and the empowerment of women and youth in strengthening peace and security. We in the GCC, under the leadership and wisdom of Their Majesties and Excellencies the Heads of GCC States, will remain unwavering in our commitment to international agreements and conventions and the principles of international law out of a belief that a better future for humankind requires active international partnership that is founded on the values of peace, coexistence, cooperation and fraternity. (spoke in English) I now resume my functions as President of the Council.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo welcomes His Excellency Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who is honouring us with his presence this morning. This gesture has not gone unnoticed at this time of immense hardship for his country and for all the civilian populations of the Gulf States affected. We take this opportunity to again extend our solidarity and compassion to him. My delegation thanks him for convening this high-level meeting and commends the Kingdom of Bahrain’s leadership in the Council and its abiding efforts to bolster dialogue, multilateralism and partnerships with regional organizations, including the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). We thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari and His Excellency Mr. Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council; their input has served to enrich our collective deliberations. A worrisome escalation of tensions in the Gulf region, marked by a military build-up with potentially grave ramifications, continues to expose civilian populations to violence, the outcome of which hangs in the balance. In the background to the unfolding geopolitical dynamics, human lives are being imperilled on a daily basis, essential infrastructure is being affected, and regional equilibriums are being upset. Against this particularly volatile backdrop, the Democratic Republic of the Congo calls for a renewed collective commitment to de-escalation, dialogue and scrupulous compliance with international law. The present meeting on cooperation between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council is, in this respect, wholly consonant with the spirit of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, which acknowledges the crucial role of regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. The Democratic Republic of the Congo reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. This it does in line with a consistent approach that gives precedence to respect for State sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes and the eschewal of the use of force, out of a sense of responsibility and balance. In this regard, my delegation is pleased to note the Gulf Cooperation Council’s involvement in efforts aimed at maintaining international peace and security. As highlighted in the concept note (S/2026/260, annex), the GCC is playing a growing role in conflict prevention, mediation and humanitarian efforts, complementing the endeavours of the United Nations. Turning to resolution 2817 (2026), the Democratic Republic of the Congo supported its adoption, guided by its unwavering commitment to the principles of the Charter, State sovereignty and the preservation of international stability. Given its history, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains particularly vigilant about any ploy that might constitute a violation of these principles, while appealing for a moderate approach grounded in dialogue and law. In this connection, my delegation further emphasizes the importance of adherence to customary international law and the law of the sea, as enshrined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It points out that freedom of navigation, the security of shipping lanes and compliance with the applicable international legal frameworks are crucial factors in regional and international stability, in particular in strategic maritime areas. The Democratic Republic of the Congo attaches particular importance to the cross-cutting dimensions of peace, specifically the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and the involvement of youth in processes for conflict prevention and resolution. It reiterates its call for them to have more involvement in decision-making processes and to be afforded greater protection in situations of crisis. Amid persistent tensions in the Middle East, my delegation calls for diplomatic efforts to be pursued and bolstered with a view to arriving at peaceful, sustainable and inclusive solutions. It encourages any initiative aimed at promoting de-escalation, fostering trust and creating conditions conducive to constructive dialogue among the parties. In this regard, the Democratic Republic of the Congo commends the mediation and facilitation efforts undertaken by a number of States in the region, notably the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for their respective contributions to efforts towards deescalation, dialogue and stabilization. My delegation also recognizes the engagement of the Arab States within multilateral mechanisms working for peace, including their contributions to the Board of Peace, which demonstrates their determination to promote a collective and coordinated approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains convinced that strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations such as the GCC is a crucial tool in addressing contemporary challenges of international peace and security. Such cooperation, based on complementarity, coordination and respect for respective mandates, is indispensable for ensuring more effective, inclusive and sustainable responses.

Pakistan congratulates the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain on assuming the presidency of the Security Council. And we warmly welcome Your Excellency the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain in presiding over this very important meeting. We also welcome His Excellency Mr. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and appreciate his detailed and invaluable contribution to our deliberations on the cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC. And let me also thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing. The cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, as set forth in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, is fundamental for the maintenance of international peace and security, and such partnerships are indispensable for advancing our collective objectives of peace and development. Regional organizations, with their contextual awareness and proximity to the evolving challenges, also serve as vital partners in prevention, mediation and conflict resolution. Resolution 2788 (2025), adopted last July during Pakistan’s presidency of the Council, recognized the role of regional and subregional organizations and arrangements in complementing the efforts of the United Nations to prevent conflicts and promote peaceful settlement of disputes. When it comes to the Middle East and the wider region, enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC represents a strategic necessity and a practical pathway towards more effective multilateral action. The proactive role and constructive efforts of the GCC on key regional issues, particularly regarding Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon are highly commendable. The GCC has truly emerged as a pivotal pillar of regional stability. Its members have demonstrated sustained commitment to peace, diplomacy, humanitarian engagement and development cooperation, as we heard from His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Through proactive mediation efforts and contributions to addressing structural drivers of conflict, the GCC countries have played an important role in addressing many conflict situations around the world. General Assembly resolution 79/295, adopted unanimously, reaffirmed support for deeper cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC, highlighting the need for stronger coordination through regular high-level exchanges, joint initiatives and broader collaboration across political, economic and social areas. We support and reiterate its call to align priorities, promote multilateralism and strengthen collective responses to global challenges, recognizing the GCC’s growing role as a regional partner. The presidential statement to be adopted by the Security Council today will reinforce that message, which Pakistan supports and welcomes. Pakistan attaches great importance to its fraternal relations with all GCC countries rooted in shared religious and cultural values, mutual respect and deep people-to-people ties. These bonds are reinforced by robust political, security, economic and trade partnerships, energy and development cooperation. Pakistan’s vibrant diaspora across the GCC countries serves as a vital bridge, contributing to the prosperity and development of the host countries and further strengthening our bilateral relations. Pakistan will always stand firmly alongside the brotherly nations of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The ongoing attacks on the brotherly Gulf countries targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure are totally unacceptable, and we have strongly condemned them. We appreciate the strategic restraint by the GCC countries in the face of such provocation and aggression. Pakistan reaffirms its full support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all GCC States. As demanded by resolution 2817 (2026), the attacks on their territories must cease immediately, and the navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz must not be undermined. It is also important to acknowledge the broader context. The deeply troubling events in the region, including the initiation of attacks against Iran on 28 February, have led to dangerous escalation and rising tensions. These developments have undermined regional stability and carry serious implications for international peace and security, as well as the global economy and prosperity. We categorically condemn all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. The targeting of power plants, energy facilities, educational institutions, hospitals and other essential civilian sites is unacceptable and must cease immediately. De-escalation and complete cessation of hostilities must be our top priority. At this critical juncture, restraint, diplomacy and dialogue must prevail. Pakistan has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts towards that end. Last week, the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia met in Islamabad. The discussions reflected a shared recognition of the urgent need to de-escalate tensions, intensify diplomatic engagement and collectively pursue the peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis. During the subsequent visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, to Beijing earlier this week, China and Pakistan announced a five-point initiative offering a sequenced road map comprising an immediate halt to hostilities, the launch of inclusive peace talks under guarantees of sovereignty, the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure in line with international law, the restoration of maritime security in the strategic Strait of Hormuz and a firm reaffirmation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law as the indispensable framework for a lasting political settlement. Pakistan remains committed to continue playing its constructive role in promoting dialogue, fostering understanding and supporting all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace. In conclusion, we reaffirm our full support for the strengthened cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC, grounded in shared objectives, and we are confident that the sagacious and farsighted leadership of the GCC countries will help advance peace, stability and sustainable development in the region and beyond.

Allow me to take this opportunity to welcome you, Mr. President, to the Council at the beginning of Bahrain’s presidency. We wish you and your team the best during the course of this month. You can count on our support. I also pay tribute to our United States colleagues for their skilful stewardship of the Council during the busy month of March. The United Kingdom welcomes Bahrain’s leadership in convening this first high-level meeting on cooperation between the United Nations and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). We thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari and GCC Secretary-General Albudaiwi for their briefings. The GCC is a vital partner for the United Nations. Its deep understanding of regional dynamics and political credibility make it well positioned to support the Council’s work. This meeting comes at a time of acute regional insecurity. The United Kingdom unequivocally and strongly condemns the egregious Iranian attacks against GCC and regional countries that target civilian areas, critical infrastructure and vital economic assets. These strikes represent a direct threat to international peace and security. The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with all GCC States as they exercise their inherent rights to defend their sovereignty and protect their citizens. We also reiterate our strong condemnation of Iran’s unacceptable attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz. We commend Bahrain’s leadership in driving Council action to address these threats, including through resolution 2817 (2026). The resolution is clear. Such aggression is unacceptable and must cease immediately. Earlier today my Foreign Minister hosted a meeting with more than 40 countries to discuss efforts to reopen and ensure safe passage through the Strait. She expressed her support for Bahrain’s efforts to secure a further resolution on this issue. We commend GCC States for their constructive diplomatic efforts, particularly their effective role in mediation processes and humanitarian support. We also welcome their leadership on cross-cutting priorities, including women and peace and security and youth, peace and security, and their work to address food, water and environmental pressures that increasingly drive insecurity. In Gaza and the West Bank, we now have a historic opportunity to end the cycle of violence and turn the page towards lasting peace by renewing our efforts to achieve a two-State solution. In this regard, we welcome the vital role the GCC States are playing in supporting efforts to implement Security Council resolution 2803 (2025), particularly by ensuring humanitarian aid reaches the most vulnerable and supporting plans for Gaza’s long-term reconstruction. Finally, the United Kingdom was proud to work in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf counterparts to establish the tolerance, peace and security agenda in 2023, with the adoption of Security Council resolution 2686 (2023). Around the world, persecution and intolerance is widespread and on the rise, making our efforts to champion this agenda more important than ever. In conclusion, the United Kingdom remains steadfast in its commitment to working with the GCC, the United Nations and all Council members to protect civilians, uphold international law and advance peace, security and stability.

I join in welcoming Your Excellency, Mr. President, to the Council Chamber and in wishing success to Bahrain’s presidency. Please be reassured of Liberia’s fullest cooperation. We thank the Assistant Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) for their qualified briefings. We meet at a moment when geography is no longer a buffer. It is actually a bridge over which crises travel faster than diplomacy and across which regional tremors can quickly become global shocks. In such a challenging world, the promise of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations is the difference between reaction and prevention, between escalation of a conflict and its containment. The partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations, including the Gulf Cooperation Council, reflects a simple truth. Proximity breeds insight and insight, when matched with global legitimacy, can produce effective action. As underscored by the briefers, regional actors bring the contextual knowledge, political credibility and agility needed for early warning, mediation and response. In this regard, Liberia wishes to make the following points. First, regional collaboration must now move from affirmation to architecture. We do not need more declarations of partnerships. We need, as the briefer indicated, structured systems of partnership. This means institutionalized information-sharing, joint analysis and coordinated response mechanisms between the United Nations and regional bodies such as the GCC. The risks we face from political tensions to transnational threats are interconnected. Our responses, therefore, must be interconnected as well. Secondly, prevention must be the organizing principle of United Nations-GCC cooperation. The GCC’s proximity to emerging crises positions it as an early warning asset. But early warning without early action is merely early disappointment. The Council must empower and trust regional partners to act decisively in mediation and de-escalation while ensuring coherence with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Thirdly, maritime security is no longer a narrow technical issue. It is, in truth, a test of collective resolve. The security of strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, is integral to global stability. Disruptions to lawful transit are not regional inconveniences. They are global threats. Strengthened United Nations-GCC cooperation in safeguarding these corridors must combine deterrence, diplomacy and adherence to international law. Fourthly, partnership must extend beyond crisis management to addressing root causes. As highlighted by the briefers, cross-cutting priorities — women and peace and security; youth, peace and security; tolerance; food and water security and environmental pressures — are not peripheral issues. They are the fault lines along which future conflicts will certainly emerge. A United Nations-GCC partnership that invests in those areas is not just managing instability; it is preventing it. Fifthly, burden-sharing must move from intention to action. The GCC has demonstrated capacity in mediation, humanitarian response and development support, as we heard comprehensively from the Secretary-General of the GCC. The United Nations must match this with coordination, legitimacy and strategic alignment. Effective multilateralism is not about duplication; it is about division of labour grounded in comparative advantage. Liberia speaks from experience. We know what it means to emerge from conflict, and we know that peace is not delivered by distant actors alone. It is built through partnerships that combine local knowledge, regional engagement and international support. In West Africa, collaboration between the United Nations and regional bodies has shown that those closest to the problem are often closest to the solution. However, that is the case only if they are empowered and supported. But we have also learned that coordination gaps can be costly. Fragmented efforts delay peace. Competing mandates confuse it even further, and absent ownership certainly undermines it. The lesson, therefore, has to be clear: partnerships must be deliberate, not incidental. That is why we must guard against a false choice between regional action and global authority. This is not a competition. It is a complementarity, as speakers before me have pointed out. The United Nations provides legitimacy; regional organizations provide immediacy. Together, they provide effectiveness. Finally, to prevent the conflicts of tomorrow, we must strengthen the partnerships of today. The United Nations-GCC relationship offers a good template not just for one region, but for a new model of cooperative security. Let us build it, build upon it and strengthen it with clarity. Let us resource it with seriousness. And let us measure it not by the number of meetings that we will hold, but by the number of conflicts that we prevent.

I would like to congratulate Bahrain on becoming the President of the Security Council in April. We are grateful to the American presidency for heading up the Security Council in March and, in particular, for their foray into the history of the initial years of the Security Council. We would like to thank the Bahraini presidency, represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, for organizing the first-ever Security Council briefing on cooperation between the United Nations and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). We are grateful to Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari and the Secretary-General of the GCC, Mr. Jasem Albudaiwi, for their briefings. We deem today’s briefing to be timely, primarily in the context of the current unprecedented escalation of violence in the greater Middle East region, which, unfortunately, is affecting countries that are friendly to Russia, including GCC countries. However, we cannot agree with the one-sided remarks regarding the root causes of the current confrontation. Attempts to distort the true picture of events and their causal links are entirely consistent with the overt desire of non-regional forces to derive benefit and profit from the multiplication of hotbeds of chronic instability in the region. For our part, we would like to reiterate that the current conflict did not occur in a vacuum. Rather, it was the direct result of an unprovoked act of aggression by the United States and Israel against the sovereign territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Washington and West Jerusalem could not but realize the very serious impact of their military adventure on the countries of the region. On a daily basis, completely innocent people, including women and children, are being killed. The scale of damage to the energy and other vital infrastructure in Iran and the Arab monarchies is growing by the minute. Irreparable damage is being done not only to regional stability, but also to global food and energy security and to the global economy as a whole. This is clearly evidenced by the relevant assessments and forecasts of the relevant United Nations agencies, by price volatility on global markets and by disruptions to the supply of energy resources and fertilizer. Once again, we call for an immediate cessation of all hostilities, which are bringing destruction and suffering to civilians. Russia stands ready to assist in finding ways to resolve the current confrontation through political and diplomatic means, in accordance with international law and with due regard for the legitimate interests of the States involved. We confirm our unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region. Every day, it becomes clearer that the first step on the path to de-escalation is the cessation of strikes by Washington and West Jerusalem on Iranian territory and the curbing of strikes by Iran on the territory of Arab States. It is time to stop and put an end to this dangerous game of playing with fire, this fire that is at risk of turning into a full-scale conflagration — one that is not merely regional, but global. We share the views expressed today regarding the importance of strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC as two organizations committed to promoting peace and security at both the regional and global levels. We support such cooperation, in keeping with our long-held conviction that there is a need to take into account the views of regional organizations in the work of the Security Council in areas that directly pertain to them. We believe that the GCC is a political and economic alliance. We are convinced that our Arab friends within the GCC have valuable insights to share with the Security Council regarding their analysis of the situation in the Gulf region towards developing a joint response to current challenges and threats and advancing a unifying socioeconomic agenda. We, in turn, have established regular exchanges of views with the GCC on various topics of mutual interest. This robust political dialogue provides a solid basis for further continued development of a whole range of trade, economic and investment cooperation between our country and our Arab partners. The GCC member States occupy their rightful place as one of the key centres of the emerging multipolar world and are consistently strengthening their standing as important players on the global stage. As part of our regular dialogue with this regional structure, we have paid and continue to pay particular attention to promoting Russia’s proposed security concept for the Persian Gulf, which is aimed at maintaining good-neighbourly relations between all littoral States in this strategically important region. We have been talking about this for quite some time. The relevance of Russia’s approaches and considerations has been confirmed by recent events in the region. We consistently point out that the ideas set out in our draft concept are not set in stone. Unlike our Western colleagues, we never impose ready-made solutions or portray our viewpoint as the only correct one. On the contrary, we invite our Middle Eastern friends to engage in constructive discussion with a view to finding joint solutions that would serve, first and foremost, the interests of the region’s countries. In conclusion, we would like to thank our Bahraini colleagues for their initiative in the adoption, following today’s meeting, of a Security Council presidential statement on cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC. We note the constructive approach taken by the authors in negotiating the text and the fact that we have all managed to keep the document depoliticized.

I welcome you, Mr. President, Your Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. France extends its utmost support to the Kingdom of Bahrain as it assumes the presidency of the Council at a time when its security and that of the region have been particularly shattered. My delegation takes this opportunity to commend and thank the United States delegation for its presidency last month. I thank Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, and His Excellency Mr Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, whom I also welcome, for their briefings. At a time when the region is confronting a perilous military escalation owing to Iranian aggression, the Council, through resolution 2817 (2026), has given its utmost support to the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Having condemned Iran’s attacks on its neighbours, it rests now with the Security Council to strive to resolve the ongoing crisis. Dialogue and cooperation between the Council and the member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council are one of the keys to a lasting diplomatic solution. The war has lasted for far too long. France calls for de-escalation and an end to attacks against civilian populations and infrastructure throughout the region. They must be protected at all times and in all circumstances. By attacking its neighbours — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar — and Jordan, Iran bears primary responsibility for the current escalation. It has opted for a strategy that is detrimental to the region’s stability, going so far as to expand the conflict to Lebanon, where Hizbullah is waging a war on its behalf against Israel. France renews its solidarity with its Gulf partners, which have been subjected to Iran’s indiscriminate strikes — strikes that are all the more reprehensible in that the GCC States were contributing to negotiations between Iran and the United States on the nuclear issue, eager for dialogue and diplomacy to culminate in solutions. This escalation comes at a time when Iran is pursuing a destabilizing nuclear programme. In response to Iran’s persistent failure to honour its commitments, we were, moreover, compelled to trigger the procedure for the reinstatement of Security Council sanctions in August. Iran’s ballistic missile programme and activities in the region are also major sources of destabilization on account of the support that Tehran provides to non-State armed groups in the region, be they Hamas in Gaza, Hizbullah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen or radical militias in Iraq and Syria. As to Iran’s use of its ballistic missiles, the extent to which that now vindicates our past concerns is plain to see. Bringing security to the Strait of Hormuz — a prerequisite to freedom of navigation — is a global priority on which our two forums have every interest in collaborating. As the Council noted in its resolution 2817 (2026), obstructions to freedom of navigation constitute a threat to international peace and security. It is unacceptable for Iran to hold a strategic shipping lane hostage. This disruption to traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is devastating supply chains, with deleterious consequences for the global economy, of which the most vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt. The United Nations is now sounding the alarm in this regard. We must bolster cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC so as to preserve maritime security, particularly in strategically important shipping lanes. In this respect, defensive measures that avoid any large-scale use of force should be prioritized. Furthermore, we welcome the new team put together by the Secretary- General, with the primary aim of tackling humanitarian needs in the Strait of Hormuz. Greater cooperation between our Council and the Gulf Cooperation Council serves the two-fold objective of stability in the Middle East and the defence of multilateralism. It now serves an urgent aim: the return of peace to the region.

I thank His Excellency Mr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and take this opportunity to wish the Kingdom of Bahrain every success during its presidency this month and to assure it that it can count on Colombia’s support in its stewardship of the proceedings. We are likewise seizing the opportunity to thank the United States delegation for a successful presidency during the month of March. My delegation also conveys its gratitude for the convening of this inaugural briefing on cooperation between the Security Council and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, while thanking His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, for their briefings. Cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations is complementary and crucial for the maintenance of international peace and security. Organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council provide in-depth knowledge of the political, social and cultural context of their region and channels for dialogue and relevant capabilities for preventive diplomacy, mediation and early response to crises. Against a backdrop of mounting tensions in the Middle East, this constructive role is invaluable. Colombia reiterates its profound concern at recent attacks affecting member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council and other countries with no direct part in the hostilities. We condemn the attacks against the civilian population and critical infrastructure and reaffirm in no uncertain terms the importance of full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Colombia takes note of the initiatives entailing mediation and good offices undertaken by the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the humanitarian response in the region. It also encourages the pursuit and consolidation of those efforts. My delegation likewise underlines the importance of ensuring that this cooperation encompasses, in cross-cutting fashion, the structural challenges that must be addressed in order to move towards a just, inclusive and lasting peace. Sustainable solutions to those challenges cannot be found without guaranteeing the full, equal, meaningful and safe political participation of women. To that end, mainstreaming and strengthening the incorporation of the women and peace and security agenda are indispensable. Colombia further underscores that the youth, peace and security agenda is pivotal. Ensuring the full, meaningful and safe participation of youth, especially in settings of fragility and conflict, helps to strengthen social resilience, promote preventive approaches and foster sustainable and lasting solutions. Furthermore, fostering and strengthening peace also means incorporating environmental and climate factors. Prolonged droughts, food insecurity, floods and lack of access to natural resources are all vectors that can intensify and exacerbate pre-existing tensions. Colombia considers it essential to reflect on how climate risks affect international peace and security. Finally, Colombia reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism, preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes. In view of the serious situation in the Gulf region, Colombia expresses its solidarity with all States and peoples affected by the conflict. It is urgent to redouble diplomatic efforts to make progress towards an effective de-escalation and a sustainable ceasefire.

At the outset, I am pleased to extend my warmest congratulations to the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I wish it every success and sound judgment. I am also pleased to welcome His Excellency Mr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and to commend him on convening this important, first-ever meeting on cooperation between the United Nations and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. This meeting constitutes a valuable step towards strengthening regional partnerships in support of international peace and security. I express my thanks to His Excellency Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary- General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, for his briefing. I would also like to convey my appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, for his valuable briefing, which highlights the vital role that the Council plays in supporting regional stability and enhancing multilateral action. Somalia firmly believes in the vital role played by regional and subregional organizations, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, in supporting efforts to prevent and peacefully resolve conflicts, and in fostering security and stability at both the regional and international levels. In this context, since its inception, the Gulf Cooperation Council has demonstrated its ability to play a constructive role in supporting mediation efforts, preventive diplomacy and the deescalation of tensions. Furthermore, it has made tangible contributions to humanitarian action and to reconstruction and development efforts, all of which increase the prospects of achieving a sustainable and comprehensive peace. Amid growing security challenges, including protracted conflicts and transnational threats, it is crucial to enhance coordination between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council in the areas of conflict prevention, peacebuilding and countering terrorism and violent extremism. In addition, there is a need to support efforts aimed at addressing root causes, foremost among them poverty, marginalization, underdevelopment and the legacy of colonialism. We also underscore the importance of enhancing information-sharing and institutional capacity-building in a manner that contributes to the development of early warning mechanisms and effective crisis response capabilities, thereby bolstering the international community’s capacity to address emerging threats in a comprehensive and integrated manner. Resolution 2817 (2026) affirms the importance of respecting the sovereignty of States and protecting civilians. It also condemns the attacks and calls for the immediate cessation of any actions that threaten stability or obstruct development in the region. In this context, we express our solidarity with the fraternal peoples of the Gulf Cooperation Council and strongly condemn the deliberate targeting of civilians and vital civilian infrastructure. In addition, we emphasize the critical importance of close cooperation between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council on addressing shared challenges. Ensuring the security of vital maritime corridors, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, requires sustained coordination and collective action grounded in international law and the principles of good neighbourliness. Freedom of navigation and the security of international trade are fundamental pillars of global economic stability. Those pillars can only be upheld through effective partnerships between the United Nations and regional organizations. We believe that strengthening multilateral cooperation is the optimal way to address the complex threats facing the region. We reiterate our support for every effort that promotes dialogue, mutual understanding and peace and security within the Arabian Gulf and its surrounding areas. We commend the role played by the Gulf Cooperation Council States in supporting shared priorities that contribute to achieving a sustainable peace, including the advancement of the women and peace and security agenda and the youth, peace and security agenda, in addition to fostering the values of tolerance and coexistence. In this context, we underscore the importance of strengthening partnerships that empower youth and women to contribute effectively to mediation, peacebuilding and decision-making efforts, thereby contributing to the realization of inclusive and sustainable development. Security and sustainable development are inextricably linked; there can be no lasting peace without social justice and economic prosperity. The growing challenges facing our world today require deepening the institutional cooperation between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council so as to enhance the exchange of expertise, coordinate efforts and facilitate the development of more effective joint responses to regional and international challenges. In conclusion, Somalia reiterates its support for strengthening the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council, thereby contributing to consolidating the foundations of peace, security and stability and bolstering multilateral action to confront shared challenges and build a more prosperous future for the peoples of the region. We express our appreciation for Bahrain’s efforts with regard to the presidential statement on cooperation between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council, paving the way for a stronger and more coordinated partnership in the future.

We are pleased to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. We welcome you, Mr. President, and express our appreciation to you, your team and your country for assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month. You can count on our staunch cooperation. Furthermore, we appreciate the briefing by Mr. Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary- General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and we thank His Excellency Mr. Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, for the valuable explanations provided in his briefing. The current international political landscape is placing considerable strain on the multilateral system that we have founded on the basis of the Organization’s values. Multilateralism must adapt and be strengthened in order to respond to increasingly complex and intertwined threats. Against this backdrop, strengthening regional organizations is essential to preserving the equilibrium and effectiveness of the international order. That endeavour must be undertaken with unreserved adherence to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in full compliance with international law. Panama wishes to be part of a United Nations that is capable of pre-empting conflicts, providing sustainable solutions, reacting swiftly to humanitarian emergencies and efficiently coordinating its efforts on the ground, while faithfully reflecting the diversity of people worldwide. To this end, all Member States bear a responsibility for strengthening and never undermining the Organization’s capacities, while respecting its mandates, supporting its mechanisms and promoting coherent collective action that bolsters its effectiveness and legitimacy. Preventing conflicts is more efficient and costs less than responding to them, making it essential to invest in early warning systems within regional bodies, strengthen preventive diplomacy and consolidate effective mediation and negotiation mechanisms. Close cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council, other regional bodies and the United Nations system, and the Security Council in particular, is essential to fully grasping the complexity of today’s challenges and to putting forward coordinated, legitimate and effective responses. In this connection, we value the part played by the Gulf Cooperation Council in fostering regional stability and its efforts in preventive diplomacy, mediation and humanitarian assistance. That engagement was clearly reflected in the broad support from across the international community for the text of resolution 2817 (2026), put forward by Bahrain in its capacity as a member of the Security Council and on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council — a resolution that was successfully adopted. We extend our solidarity to all the Gulf States, which have unjustly suffered the repercussions of a conflict they did not start and in which they have repeatedly stated they have no part. We reiterate our profound concern at the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, given its implications for international maritime security and the protection of the global economy. We appeal to all parties to the conflict to preserve the security of international maritime routes and to avert measures that jeopardize civilian vessels and seafarers. Panama underscores the need to ensure safe passage through critical waterways in strict compliance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Any action that impedes maritime transit and impinges on supply chains constitutes a threat to international peace and security, with the most vulnerable communities across the globe bearing the brunt. It is imperative that we step up our collective efforts to give precedence to diplomacy over confrontation, development over conflict and human dignity over any other consideration. Accordingly, we renew our support for those States and actors who are resolutely committed to peace, cooperation and the peaceful settlement of disputes, convinced as we are that only through these principles will it be possible to move towards a more just, inclusive and sustainable international order for present and future generations.

At the outset, I would like to extend sincere congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April and warmly welcome you, Your Excellency, as you preside over this meeting. We wish the Kingdom of Bahrain every success, and we look forward to collaborating closely on the Council’s agenda. I also pay tribute to the United States for its outstanding presidency of March. I welcome the Secretary- General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), Mr. Jasem Albudaiwi, to this meeting and thank him and Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for their valuable briefings. Latvia welcomes the Council’s meeting on the cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC. The enhanced relationship between the two organizations, anchored in General Assembly resolution 79/295, contributes to the Security Council’s core goal of maintaining international peace and security. Across the Middle East and well beyond, the GCC and its member States are contributing substantially to international stabilization and mediation efforts, countering terrorism, combating the spread of extremism, strengthening maritime security and providing global humanitarian relief and development cooperation. Building closer ties is ever more important in times of heightened geopolitical tensions and spiralling conflict in the wider Middle East. Iran’s unprovoked attacks undermine the security, stability and well-being of GCC countries and beyond. In this context, we express our strong support for the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence. Latvia calls for de-escalation, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and full respect for international law, including the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law, by all parties. On 11 March, Latvia voted in favour of resolution 2817 (2026) submitted by Bahrain on behalf of the States of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan (see S/PV.10119). Said resolution, co-sponsored by 136 United Nations Member States, is a clear example of the fruitful cooperation between the two organizations, proving that cohesive regional efforts can unite a broad international community. We reiterate our full solidarity with our GCC partners and condemn in the strongest terms the attacks continuously launched by Iran on its regional neighbours. Iran’s actions and use of its proxies — Hizbullah, the Houthis and others — to destabilize the wider Middle East severely undermine international peace and security. Iranian attacks against the GCC are enabled by Russian military intelligence and technological support. Just as Iranian weapons and technology have been used by Russia to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians, Iran is now being supported by Russia in conducting widespread systematic attacks against civilian and energy infrastructure in the Gulf States. We call on Iran to halt its deliberate and unjustifiable attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure in GCC countries, as such actions constitute violations of international law, including international humanitarian law. Equally unacceptable is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which threatens the global economy, energy supplies and agricultural production by disrupting the trade in fertilizers. We welcome the declaration adopted on 19 March by the Council of the International Maritime Organization and underline that Iran must comply with resolution 2817 (2026) and ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. We note the Secretary-General’s efforts to mitigate the negative effects of the global trade and the humanitarian needs caused by the disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In conclusion, we remain confident that despite the turbulent times, the United Nations and the GCC partnership will continue to evolve and contribute to advancing peace, stability and sustainable progress in the Middle East and beyond.

I congratulate Bahrain on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month and commend Bahrain for the initiative to convene this meeting and His Excellency Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani for presiding over it. I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari and Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi for their briefings. The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) is one of the most dynamic regional organizations in the Middle East. In recent years, it has accelerated economic diversification and integration, steadily strengthened strategic autonomy and solidarity and actively contributed to regional peace and stability. Its international standing and influence continue to rise. Last June, at its seventy-ninth session, the General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC, setting up a framework for that cooperation, which China welcomes. At present, the global landscape is undergoing profound changes, and the Middle East remains in a state of turmoil. China supports the GCC in playing a greater role in international affairs and supports the United Nations and the GCC, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, in strengthening dialogue and cooperation and deepening partnership, so as to jointly promote regional peace and development. I will make three points. First, we must firmly uphold the correct direction of global progress. Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations is both an explicit requirement of the United Nations Charter and an important embodiment of multilateralism in practice. China appreciates the GCC countries’ long-standing adherence to pragmatic and balanced foreign policies and their active pursuit of diversified diplomacy. We support and encourage the GCC to continue this fine tradition, resolutely uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, practice true multilateralism, safeguard the international system — with the United Nations at its core — and the international order, underpinned by international law, and promote a more just and equitable global governance system. Secondly, we must actively pursue political solutions to hotspot issues. The use of force cannot bring peace. Political settlement is the fundamental way forward. The GCC countries enjoy unique advantages in understanding the root causes of conflicts within their region. The Council should strengthen communication with the GCC countries, maximize the convergence of political will for political solutions and enhance efforts in such key areas as conflict prevention, diplomatic mediation and post-conflict reconstruction. China supports regional countries in upholding the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; resolving differences through dialogue and consultation; building a collective Gulf security architecture; and fostering lasting good neighbourly relations. Thirdly, we must support the development and prosperity of regional countries. The GCC countries are rich in energy resources and their economic diversification is gaining momentum. The international community should fully respect the historical and cultural traditions of the GCC countries, support them in strengthening strategic autonomy and enhancing unity and cooperation, encourage them to explore development paths suited to their national conditions and oppose any interference in their internal affairs by any country. Support should also be given to the GCC’s sustainable development endeavours in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in addressing climate change, desertification, economic integration and connectivity, thereby contributing to the common development of the global South. The escalating hostilities in the Middle East are not only undermining regional peace and stability, but also directly affecting international energy, finance, trade and shipping, harming the common interests of all countries. The origin of this war lies in the military attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, which clearly violate the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. The fundamental way to prevent further escalation lies in the cessation of military actions by the United States and Israel. At the same time, the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the GCC countries must be fully respected. China does not go along with Iran’s attacks against the GCC countries and condemns all indiscriminate attacks against civilians and non-military targets. The security of shipping lanes must not be disrupted. Recently, China and Pakistan issued a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region, calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the start of peace talks as soon as possible, security of nonmilitary targets, security of shipping lanes and the primacy of the United Nations Charter. The China-Pakistan five-point initiative is open, and we welcome the response and participation of all countries and international organizations, so as to help the international community to build a broader consensus and stronger synergy and contribute to de-escalation and the restoration of peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East at an early date. The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and should uphold an objective, impartial and fair position. Under the current circumstances, authorizing Member States to use force would amount to legitimizing the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and serious consequences. The Council must proceed with caution and play a positive role in de-escalating the situation and restoring dialogue and negotiations. China is a good friend and a good partner of the GCC countries and has established strategic partnerships with the GCC and all its member States. In December 2022, President Xi Jinping and leaders of the GCC countries held the first China-GCC summit, jointly charting a new blueprint for the development of practical cooperation between China and the GCC. China stands ready to further strengthen communication and coordination with the GCC countries, actively implement the outcomes of the summit, deepen cooperation across all fields and jointly take the China-GCC relationship towards new depth and greater substance, making new contributions to regional peace, stability and development.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Your Excellency Minister Al Zayani, on the assumption of the presidency in April. We wish the Kingdom of Bahrain every success and reaffirm our full cooperation. On this occasion, I would like to thank and congratulate the United States for a very successful presidency in the month of March. Let me also thank Assistant Secretary- General Khiari and warmly welcome the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), His Excellency Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. Today’s meeting is both timely and necessary, for we gather at a moment when the Middle East stands at a crossroads — once again. From the very beginning, Greece has unequivocally condemned the Iranian attacks against members of the GCC, Jordan and elsewhere. We stand in full solidarity with our partners in the region. We were also among the first Member States to sponsor resolution 2817 (2026), alongside an unprecedented number of countries. Such actions violate the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. They shake the architecture of regional stability. At the same time, attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. We condemn such attacks and we underline, once again, the need for maximum restraint. We call for an immediate de-escalation by all sides to create the conditions for a return to dialogue and, ultimately, negotiations. We also underscore the critical importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation. Strategic international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, are lifelines for global trade and the supply of energy. Any disruption constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security. Compliance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including the international law of the sea as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, must remain a top, shared priority in this regard. Attention must be given to diplomacy and international efforts to de-escalate and defuse tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider conflict. Since its establishment, the GCC has cultivated political credibility. It has contributed to various mediation efforts and to humanitarian engagement in a way that complements and reinforces the work of the United Nations. Hence, it is evident that the Security Council, while bearing primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, is well complemented by the GCC. Our cooperation rests on solid foundations — respect for international law, the United Nations Charter and the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of States — in all the serious challenges to international peace and security we are facing, from Gaza and Iran to Ukraine. As envisioned in the Charter, such cooperation with regional organizations is essential. It provides the bridge between the global vision of the United Nations Charter principles and conditions and reality in the region. My country’s ties with the Arab world are deep and enduring. They are rooted in history, enriched by culture and strengthened through cooperation. Serving on the Council alongside Bahrain, we remain committed to acting as a voice for dialogue, diplomacy and peace. There is vast potential in further strengthening United Nations- GCC cooperation in various fields such as conflict prevention, mediation, counterterrorism and humanitarian response, but also, beyond these, in empowering women as agents of peace, in giving youth a stake in stability and in addressing food, water and environmental challenges as drivers of security. The partnership between the United Nations and the GCC is a promise that multilateralism can deliver, and that peace, however distant it may seem, remains within reach. Greece has long stood as a committed advocate of multilateralism and international law. We believe that peace, like trust, is built jointly, and we aim to further strengthen United Nations-GCC cooperation to this end. In conclusion, Greece reiterates its call for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy at a time when neither the Arab region nor the world can afford another prolonged spiral of violence. It is clear that if we act together, we can move from crisis management to peacebuilding for, in the end, peace is not forged in isolation; it is forged through cooperation.

Allow me to start by congratulating you, Mr. President, and the Kingdom of Bahrain on taking up the presidency of the Council for April. I would also like to thank the United States for a very successful presidency during March. Let me also thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari and the Secretary- General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Mr. Jasem Albudaiwi, for their briefings. I thank Minister for Foreign Affairs Al Zayani for his presence here today and, through him, let me also commend the members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) for their active contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security. Denmark also welcomes the Council’s agreement on the presidential statement and commends Bahrain on its efforts in this timely initiative. We meet today in the shadow of a regional escalation of major proportions — one that demands the continued attention of the Council and also calls for close cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC. We are deeply concerned about the continued escalation of the situation in the Middle East. Over the past month, we have seen a large number of countries in the Gulf being drawn into a conflict not of their making. This has profound and grave implications, not only for the people across the region but also for international peace and security. We reiterate our call for the protection of civilians and for full respect for international law, including international humanitarian law. Let me recall Denmark’s strong condemnation of Iran’s continuous attacks on the countries in the region. We stand in full solidarity with the GCC and other countries concerned. As these attacks continue, we are witnessing grave consequences for the region and beyond, including for the global economy. We welcome the Secretary-General’s recent appointment of Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy on the Middle East conflict and its consequences and the establishment of a dedicated task force to develop and propose technical mechanisms in the Strait of Hormuz to meet humanitarian needs. Denmark hopes that this can become an important confidencebuilding measure in the region. The GCC is an important and valuable partner in the region — one that has consistently used its voice to call for de-escalation and good neighbourly relations. We welcome the active and constructive role of the GCC in advancing regional stability. In this regard, we welcome the adoption of resolution 2817 (2026) and call for its full and swift implementation. Denmark stresses the importance of safeguarding maritime routes and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, while ensuring the safety and security of supply chains, shipping and seafarers, and the stability of global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz must be reopened immediately. The current situation is unacceptable, and the repercussions risk spinning out of control. To this end, we are engaging actively in the negotiations on the draft resolution led by Bahrain to ensure a strong message from our united Council. In conclusion, a close partnership between the United Nations and the GCC is vital to advancing regional stability. We look forward to the continued cooperation in pursuit of lasting peace and prosperity for the region and beyond.

I thank Secretary-General Albudaiwi — it is good to see him — and Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for their briefings. I also welcome Minister for Foreign Affairs Al Zayani and congratulate Bahrain on the start of its Council presidency. During his visit to Riyadh last year — his first overseas visit of his second term — President Trump said that the nations of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) are at the forefront, leading in creating a stable, peaceful and prosperous Middle East. On a personal note, when I served as a soldier, I fought alongside soldiers from their countries. We came under fire together. We fought together, and we defeated extremism together. But there was one thing that my GCC colleagues could do better than me or any of my other colleagues with us: to make people believe in a better future. I will never forget a captain from the United Arab Emirates who would talk to, and often convince, Afghans to reject the extremism of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Al-Qaida. He held out the promise of prosperity, education and religious tolerance. He would point to the great cities of Riyadh, Doha, Dubai, Manama and Kuwait City, which I have now had the honour to visit — each of them welcome shores for tourism, business and education. Importantly, he pointed out to those Afghans, who were stuck in a cycle of violence and poverty, a better life for their next generation, and he did so with a religious and cultural authority that no Westerner could claim. For 45 years, therefore, the GCC has helped anchor regional stability in one of the most strategically consequential parts of the world, where the arteries of commerce, energy and national security run right through its backyard. Its members have never closed their ports, waterways or commerce lanes to our ships. On the contrary, since the founding of the GCC in 1981, its members have worked to preserve order through decades of conflict, extremism and external aggression. Because they have sown the seeds of stability, the Gulf has become one of the great engines of global economic growth, trade, investment and innovation. Therefore, as we work now to negotiate and implement President Donald J. Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict in order to finally, hopefully and prayerfully end the Gaza conflict and to adopt resolution 2803 (2025), which authorized the Board of Peace, the International Stabilization Force and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, our GCC colleagues have been there. They were there to build support and contribute to its successful launch. They have now engaged and are contributing their time and treasure to the Board of Peace and to actually implementing the steps necessary to resolve that conflict. Additionally, when President Trump made history with his announcement of United States sanctions relief for the Syrian people, alongside the new Government of Syria, we worked with the Council to provide sanctions relief, but, yet again, it was the GCC that worked with us to reintegrate Syria into the region and supercharge its economic recovery. Now, as we speak, even as Iran has continued its indiscriminate attacks against their cities, neighbourhoods, hotels, resorts, international airports and civilian infrastructure, we have seen our Gulf partners rise to the occasion, and I want to thank them personally and on behalf of the United States. They are rising to the occasion in the region, and they are rising to the occasion here at the Security Council. We, too, long for the coming days when we will once again hear the sounds in their streets ringing out with racecars from Formula One, not F-15s — and certainly not Shahed drones. We are grateful for Bahrain’s achievement in pushing forward historic resolution 2817 (2025), with the most sponsors of any Security Council resolution in United Nations history, and for its continued efforts to hold the Iranian regime to account. We have heard a lot of comments today about securing shipping lanes, condemning Iran’s attacks and stopping its atrocious attacks on civilian shipping and other forms of infrastructure. I would therefore call on members to follow up those statements and speeches with real help to Bahrain and GCC countries in doing something about the situation. No country — certainly not a genocidal Iranian regime that massacres its own people and has spent decades sowing instability and violence around the world — should be able to hold the world’s economies hostage to try to gain leverage in a dispute. The bottom line is therefore this: I believe, we believe and the United States believes that the GCC can teach this body much about what it means to get back to basics. The bottom line is that our allies and partners in the GCC can count on the United States to march alongside them for a better future, both here at the Council and in the region.

The Council has before it the text of a statement by the President on behalf of the Council on the subject of today’s meeting. I thank the Council members for their valuable contributions to this statement. In accordance with the understanding reached among the members of the Council, I shall take it that the members of the Security Council agree to the statement, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2026/1. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.