GCC Secretary-General: Israeli actions undermine Palestine's right to statehood

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, urged the international community to support the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He affirmed that the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the ongoing violations in Gaza are the roots of the escalating crises in the region.

The leader called for an international conference involving all concerned parties to discuss ways to end the Israeli occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state. The statement was made during the European Forum Alpbach 2024, held from 24 to 26 August, and organised by the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs as part of the UN- Austria initiative on multilateral partnerships.

He also called for reforming and boosting the role of the UN and its agencies in maintaining international peace and security, ensuring they are not sidelined in an era of unprecedented global instability. Al-Budaiwi highlighted the GCC's belief that collective support for the UN is essential to navigate these challenging times and uphold the principles of global governance. 

The GCC Secretary-General warned of new threats facing regional and international security, citing proxy warfare, the increasing risk of nuclear weapons proliferation, and the development of artificial intelligence in information warfare.