Economic resilience is built not only on innovation, but also on safeguarding the arteries through which trade flows, Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani has said.
Delegated by His Majesty King Hamad, Chairman of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, the minister was participating in the extended dialogue session of the 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi, India, under the theme ‘Resilience, Innovation, Co-operation and Sustainability’.
Dr Al Zayani underscored that the longstanding relations between the GCC countries and BRICS members are reflected in existing partnerships in energy, digital connectivity, food security and logistics.
“New practical areas of co-operation with BRICS countries are emerging in the digital economy, fintech, artificial intelligence, clean energy technologies and food supply chains,” the minister added.
He explained that the Arabian Gulf represents a key link in these arteries, with vital maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al Mandeb and the Red Sea. “These waterways serve as essential lifelines for the movement of energy, food and goods. All BRICS countries benefit from these routes,” he noted, affirming the need to protect them and ensure their stability.
The Foreign Minister stressed that recent events have demonstrated that any disruption to a strategic maritime route has repercussions extending far beyond its geographical boundaries, affecting energy prices, transport and insurance costs, supply chains, food security and the ability of least developed countries to cope with cross-border crises.
He affirmed that safeguarding freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international trade, while upholding international rules, foremost among them the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a shared responsibility that ensures these routes remain safe, open and free from obstacles or charges.
Dr Al Zayani said ensuring the security and stability of these maritime routes cannot be achieved in isolation from the security and stability of the region.
He explained that GCC countries believe sustainable security cannot be achieved through military means alone, but requires dialogue and diplomacy, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Dr Al Zayani met his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and foreign ministers of several other participating countries.
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