NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi emphasized the importance of increased coordination with Europe to safeguard supply chains related to food, energy, and commodities. His remarks came in New York on September 24 during the second ministerial gathering of the Rome Coalition for fertiliser access and food security, where he highlighted that disruptions at sea and rising transportation costs were impacting global trade networks. Additionally, he pointed out that these pressures were contributing to elevated prices for commodities and food across various regions, including Europe and the Gulf.
Italy and Croatia served as hosts for this ministerial meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, with Croatia currently holding the MED9 presidency. The event gathered representatives from MED9 nations, the Arab League, the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and European institutions, along with officials from Gulf countries and the United Nations. Key topics of discussion centered on food security, access to fertilisers, and the movement of vital goods through major trade routes, with particular attention paid to the pressures exerted on the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Black Sea.
Albudaiwi underscored that Gulf states are actively enhancing the resilience of their supply chains by developing ports, pipelines, railways, roads, and maintaining strategic reserves. He also called for increased cooperation to mitigate risks impacting maritime transportation and shipping insurance, emphasizing that shipments of food, fertiliser, and fuel should be prioritized during disruptions. He reaffirmed the Gulf’s commitment to supporting reliable exports under current security conditions, thereby placing transport infrastructure, storage capacity, and uninterrupted trade at the heart of the region’s food and energy security strategy.
Maintaining Food and Fertiliser Supply Routes Remains a Key Focus
The Rome Coalition’s discussions also concentrated on strategies to ensure the continuity and predictability of international trade amid transport disturbances. Participants endorsed increased utilization of alternative routes and bolstered regional storage facilities, while also exploring investments in port infrastructure and land transportation links. The dialogue prominently featured cooperation among producers, transit nations, and importers, with Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General Qu Dongyu participating to highlight the role of international organizations in supporting food security and fertiliser access.
Albudaiwi further called for advancing economic ties between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union, emphasizing the significance of trade, regulatory alignment, electricity interconnections, clean hydrogen initiatives, and investment opportunities. The European Commission is currently conducting a sustainability impact assessment related to potential trade agreements with Gulf nations, a consultation that began in June and runs until October 19. Additionally, the EU is negotiating a separate free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates as part of its broader engagement with the Gulf region.
Upcoming Gulf-EU Summit Focuses on Strengthening Commercial Relations
Scheduled for October 24 in Saudi Arabia, the second summit between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union aims to continue discussions on trade, energy, investment, and regulatory cooperation. European institutions have been exploring options for future commercial arrangements with Gulf countries, including regional and bilateral agreements. Albudaiwi expressed that the summit should foster a structured dialogue on measures impacting trade, connectivity, and supply flows between the two regions, while emphasizing the importance of practical economic collaboration.
This upcoming meeting in Saudi Arabia follows the initial Rome Coalition gathering held in Rome on May 7, 2026. Italy and Croatia highlighted that the focus of the latest session was on protecting food and fertiliser supply chains from pressures on key maritime routes, with participants stressing the importance of transport resilience, storage capacity, and dependable trade flows. The discussions brought together representatives from governments, regional entities, and international organizations who shared concerns about supply chain security, keeping food security, fertiliser availability, and reliable access to essential goods as top priorities on the agenda.