The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has appointed a new General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of its GCC Negotiating Team. The announcement of Abdulaziz Al Marzouqi’s appointment comes at a crucial time, as the GCC is engaged in critical negotiations and discussions on various regional and international issues. Al Marzouqi has extensive experience in diplomacy and negotiation, and his appointment is seen as a positive step towards achieving the GCC’s strategic objectives. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Al Marzouqi’s background, his role as General Coordinator for Negotiations, and what this means for the GCC’s future negotiations.
Jassem Albudaiwi, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), recently held discussions with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi on the occasion of his appointment as the General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC. This appointment was made following a decision by the GCC Ministerial Council on March 22.
During their meeting at the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh, Albudaiwi extended his congratulations to Al Marzouqi on his appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to successfully carry out his duties in advancing Gulf trade negotiations. The two officials also discussed the need to seize existing opportunities in line with the provisions of the economic agreement, with the aim of promoting regional economic integration.
To this end, they highlighted the potential of Gulf countries to function as a major economic engine through strategic partnerships and free trade negotiations with a range of countries, regional blocs, and other economic and international organizations. They also underscored the need to accelerate the pace of partnerships to facilitate growth and Gulf economic integration, while implementing plans, visions, and development programs.
In response, Al Marzouqi expressed his gratitude to Albudaiwi and Gulf foreign ministers for entrusting him with the position of General Coordinator for Negotiations. He brings significant experience to this role, having previously worked as a Chief Economic Advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning, as well as having held various other leadership and administrative positions in both government and private sectors.
More recently, Al Marzouqi served as the CEO of the Gulf Monetary Council and a collaborating expert with the International Monetary Fund. He holds a PhD in Economics from Oklahoma State University-Stillwater, a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematical Economics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from King Saud University in Riyadh.
In summary, the discussions between Albudaiwi and Al Marzouqi centered around the need to seize existing Gulf achievements to further promote regional economic integration. This was viewed as a means of advancing growth and accelerating the pace of partnerships through plans, visions, and development programs.
