Manama:The 168th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council meeting is set to take place tomorrow, October 18, 2026, in Bahrain. The meeting will be chaired by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs and the current chairman of the ministerial council, with the participation of GCC foreign ministers. Concurrently, the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and the Russian Federation will also be held.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi stated that the ministerial council meeting will focus on enhancing Gulf cooperation and reviewing the latest developments in regional and international affairs.

The joint meeting with Russia is part of a strategic initiative by GCC leaders to strengthen ties with various countries and regional blocs. This initiative aims to establish effective partnerships that enhance the GCC's role on the global stage.

Albudaiwi highlighted that the discussions will cover multiple agenda items, exploring ways to advance cooperation and exchange perspectives on regional and international issues. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Dialogue in November 2011, both the GCC and Russia have been working to expand their collaborative efforts, benefiting mutual interests across diverse sectors.