October 14 (QNA) - Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, stressed the importance of mobilizing international efforts to support the Palestinian people on all fronts and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions or fees, as was previously the case. He also emphasized the need for concerted international efforts to ensure the security of waterways and the safety of maritime navigation.

He made the remarks during a meeting today in the Thai capital, Bangkok, with UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva, on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG).

The two sides reviewed the humanitarian, economic and development conditions in the Gaza Strip. The UN Under-Secretary-General briefed Albudaiwi on the dire situation in Gaza and the challenges it faces on multiple fronts.

The meeting also addressed efforts undertaken by the working team formed by the UN Secretary-General to develop technical mechanisms to meet humanitarian needs in the Strait of Hormuz.

The two sides also reviewed areas of joint cooperation between the GCC and the UNOPS, and discussed ways to develop and enhance them across a number of fields of common interest, particularly development and humanitarian projects. This would strengthen the efforts of the international community to achieve sustainable development and consolidate security and stability at the regional and international levels.​ (QNA)