The Gulf Cooperation Council is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of 6 Arab states in the Persian Gulf (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait) established on May 25th, 1981. Iraq is a secondary member of the council in some areas such as education and sport.
The founders of the GCC are Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan and the late Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah.
GCC Objectives
The objectives of the GCC are:
Strengthening ties between populations of the member states
Integration and coordination between member states in all fields
Formulating common regulations in economy, finance, trade, and customs
Fostering scientific development in different fields
Setting up joint ventures and encouraging cooperation of the private sector
GCC Governance
Supreme Council
The supreme council is the highest authority of the organization and is composed of the heads of the member states.
The supreme council deals with:
Issues concerning the member states
Reviews reports and studies commissioned by the Secretary General
Develops cooperation methods with other states and international organizations
Appointment of the Secretary General
Amendment of the GCC statute and approval of its internal regulations
Ratification of the Secretariat General’s Budget
Ministerial Council
The Ministerial Council is composed of the foreign ministers of all the member states.
It convenes every 3 months. Special sessions can be held at the request of any member but need to be supported by at least one other member.
The council is considered valid if two-thirds of member states attend.
Secretariat General
This council complies studies relating to cooperation, coordination, and planning for common action. It prepares periodical reports and plans regarding the works done by the GCC and follows up the implementation of its decisions, in addition to preparing the meeting and the work schedule.
It consists of:
Secretary General appointed by the Supreme Council for 3 years (renewable)
5 assistant secretaries in various fields appointed by the ministry council and nominated by the Secretary General
General directors, secretariat sectors and the rest of the staff are appointed by the Secretary General
The current Secretary General is Abdullatif bin Rashid al Zayani, appointed on 1st of April, 2011.
The Council Organizations & Entities:
Emergency & Disaster Management Council
Health Minister’s Council
Labor & Social Affairs Ministers’ Council
Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States
Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting
Awards from the GCC
GCC Award for Best Environmental Activities
GCC Award for Security Research
GCC Research Award
