Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 13 November 2025
The Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Dr. Asad M. Khan, met with H.E. Khalid Ali Salim Al Sunaidi, Assistant Secretary General for Economic and Development Affairs of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), at the GCC Headquarters in Riyadh.
Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between the two neighbouring regions, recalling their long-standing historic, cultural and religious ties. Dr. Khan also noted the participation of Saudi Arabia and other GCC members in ECO summits and ministerial meetings.
The meeting focused on priority areas with strong potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, including transport connectivity and logistics, trade and standards, food and water security, agriculture, digital cooperation and ICT, as well as exchanges in health, education and human development. Dr. Khan highlighted the urgency of addressing water scarcity across several ECO Member States, where GCC experience could provide valuable support.
H.E. Al Sunaidi welcomed the initiative and confirmed GCC’s readiness to expand cooperation with ECO, stressing the need to begin with a few targeted, high-impact areas focused strictly on economic and development issues. Both sides agreed to refine priorities and consider concrete next steps, including participation in each other’s sectoral ministerial meetings.
