Saudi Arabia to host second EU-GCC Summit on Oct. 24

Saudi Arabia is set to host the second summit between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union on October 24, 2026, in Riyadh. The event aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two blocs, focusing on expanding political and economic cooperation. The summit will convene leaders from the 27 European Union member states and the six GCC nations: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

According to the Saudi Gazette, the summit will be co-chaired by European Council President António Costa, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also in attendance to represent the EU. The partnership is designed to foster dialogue on regional security, global stability, and shared economic prosperity. Officials have emphasized that the meeting is a critical step in aligning the interests of the two regions, which are increasingly interconnected through trade and geopolitical concerns.

This upcoming gathering follows the inaugural EU-GCC summit, marking a continued effort to formalize and deepen ties between the two organizations. As the date approaches, observers expect the agenda to cover a broad range of topics, including energy security, trade facilitation, and collaborative approaches to regional conflicts. The summit serves as a platform for both blocs to address mutual challenges and explore new avenues for long-term cooperation.