The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat General and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today convened a High-Level Regional Roundtable in Riyadh, bringing together senior government officials, representatives of the international diplomatic community in Riyadh, technical experts and private sector representatives to strengthen regional cooperation on connectivity, energy, trade and investment resilience.

Held at the GCC Secretariat General headquarters in Riyadh, the Roundtable reflected a shared recognition that growing geopolitical uncertainty, disruptions to global supply chains, and increasing demand for energy and regional connectivity which require a new generation of coordinated regional solutions that enhance resilience while supporting regional sustainable economic growth.

Dr. Abdel Aziz Hamad Aluwaisheg, the GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiation, said: “the GCC has long recognized that regional connectivity is a strategic pillar for sustainable development, economic resilience, and regional stability. Through close cooperation among our Member States and with international partners, we are committed to advancing practical initiatives that strengthen transport, energy, digital, and trade connectivity across the region and with the rest of the world. Our partnership with UNDP reflects a shared vision of translating dialogue into tangible cooperation, promoting investment-ready projects, and enhancing regional integration in ways that deliver lasting benefits for our peoples and contribute to global economic resilience.”

Participants emphasized that regional connectivity today extends beyond physical infrastructure to include regulatory cooperation, digital interoperability, energy integration, investment readiness and institutional coordination. Discussions focused on practical opportunities to strengthen cross-border cooperation while translating regional convergence into bankable investment opportunities capable of mobilizing public, sovereign and private capital.

The Roundtable highlighted the importance of strengthening regional interoperability across energy systems, transport corridors, digital infrastructure, logistics networks and strategic supply chains. Particular attention was given to advancing regional electricity interconnection, multimodal transport systems, digital trade facilitation, resilient food supply systems and regulatory cooperation as critical enablers of long-term regional resilience.

As convener of the initiative, UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Member States through technical cooperation, analytical work, investment facilitation and partnership development under its Regional Convergence Initiative for Energy, Trade and Connectivity, anchored within UNDP's Regional Green Financing Platform. The initiative aims to help countries translate regulatory convergence into investment-ready regional platforms capable of attracting long-term financing for strategic cross-border infrastructure.

Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States said: "Recent events have demonstrated that disruptions in our region can quickly become global challenges for energy security, trade, and supply chains. This calls for regional solutions with global impact. The Arab States region is uniquely positioned to strengthen global resilience through greater cooperation, regulatory convergence, and investment in integrated cross-border systems. Through this Member State-led initiative, anchored in UNDP's Regional Green Financing Platform, UNDP is working with GCC governments and partners to translate regional convergence into bankable investment platforms that mobilize public and private capital, strengthen regional resilience, and contribute to global energy and economic stability."