Health Minister Chairs 10th Meeting of GCC Ministerial Committee for Food Safety
27/01/2026
Within the framework of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s presidency of the 46th session of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), H.E. Dr. Jaleela bint Al-Sayyed Jawad Hassan, Minister of Health, chaired the 10th meeting of Their Excellencies the Ministers responsible for Food Safety in the GCC countries. The meeting was held today, Wednesday, via videoconferencing, with the participation of H.E. Mr. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC.
In her opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Jaleela bint Al-Sayyed Jawad Hassan reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to building upon the achievements made in the field of food safety. She emphasized the importance of enhancing readiness to keep pace with regional and international challenges and variables, in light of the repercussions of the sinful and blatant Iranian aggressions targeting GCC states. Her Excellency noted that these attacks resulted in injuries, loss of life, and damage to infrastructure—including energy facilities, water systems, and transport networks—in addition to disrupting regional and international supply chains. She highlighted the subsequent challenges affecting the food safety system, particularly concerning the flow of food supplies and the safety of storage and transport operations.
The Minister of Health further noted that food safety is a global health priority and a fundamental pillar of health and food security. She described it as a pivotal element in protecting public health, enhancing quality of life, and supporting sustainable development paths. She stressed the importance of adopting an integrated, risk-based approach, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and developing evidence-based policies and legislation to ensure an effective and proactive response, thereby enhancing the safety of food markets—especially amidst the acceleration of global trade, the evolution of supply chains, and growing innovation in the food sector.
In the same context, Her Excellency expressed her profound thanks and appreciation to the GCC Secretary-General, the GCC General Secretariat, Their Excellencies the Ministers and Undersecretaries responsible for food safety, and the members of the Permanent Committee for Food Safety for their continuous efforts. She affirmed that ongoing GCC cooperation remains a fundamental cornerstone for strengthening the food and health security of the Council’s member states and their citizens.
The meeting discussed several items on the agenda, including the Unified Food Law (System) for GCC countries and the mechanism for imposing and lifting bans on the import of food of animal origin and its products. These discussions aim to enhance legislative and regulatory integration among member states and solidify the foundations of the GCC Common Market and the Customs Union.
In her opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Jaleela bint Al-Sayyed Jawad Hassan reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to building upon the achievements made in the field of food safety. She emphasized the importance of enhancing readiness to keep pace with regional and international challenges and variables, in light of the repercussions of the sinful and blatant Iranian aggressions targeting GCC states. Her Excellency noted that these attacks resulted in injuries, loss of life, and damage to infrastructure—including energy facilities, water systems, and transport networks—in addition to disrupting regional and international supply chains. She highlighted the subsequent challenges affecting the food safety system, particularly concerning the flow of food supplies and the safety of storage and transport operations.
The Minister of Health further noted that food safety is a global health priority and a fundamental pillar of health and food security. She described it as a pivotal element in protecting public health, enhancing quality of life, and supporting sustainable development paths. She stressed the importance of adopting an integrated, risk-based approach, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and developing evidence-based policies and legislation to ensure an effective and proactive response, thereby enhancing the safety of food markets—especially amidst the acceleration of global trade, the evolution of supply chains, and growing innovation in the food sector.
In the same context, Her Excellency expressed her profound thanks and appreciation to the GCC Secretary-General, the GCC General Secretariat, Their Excellencies the Ministers and Undersecretaries responsible for food safety, and the members of the Permanent Committee for Food Safety for their continuous efforts. She affirmed that ongoing GCC cooperation remains a fundamental cornerstone for strengthening the food and health security of the Council’s member states and their citizens.
The meeting discussed several items on the agenda, including the Unified Food Law (System) for GCC countries and the mechanism for imposing and lifting bans on the import of food of animal origin and its products. These discussions aim to enhance legislative and regulatory integration among member states and solidify the foundations of the GCC Common Market and the Customs Union.
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