Doha: The Ministerial Council affirmed its commitment to the strength and cohesion of the GCC, the unity of its members, and the achievement of greater coordination, integration, and interconnectedness in all fields, in order to achieve the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC countries. It reiterated its affirmation that its countries stand united in the face of any threat to any of the GCC countries.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Gulf Cooperation Council was established on May 25, 1981, under exceptional circumstances due to regional tensions at the time, and the political, security, and economic challenges facing the countries of the region. This prompted the GCC countries to unify their efforts and cooperate among themselves, and to enhance economic, political, and security integration to achieve stability and cooperation and confront these challenges.
The main objectives of establishing the Gulf Cooperation Council, as outlined in its charter, are to achieve coordination, integration and interconnection among its member states in all fields, to strengthen ties between their peoples, to establish similar systems in various economic, financial, commercial, customs and transportation fields, as well as in educational, cultural, social, health, media, tourism, legislative and administrative affairs, to advance scientific and technical progress in the fields of industry, mining, agriculture, water and animal resources, to establish scientific research centres, to establish joint projects, and to encourage private sector cooperation.
The GCC's charter stipulates that its establishment stems from the member states' recognition of the special relations, common characteristics, and similar systems that bind them together, based on the Islamic faith, and from their belief in the common destiny and unity of purpose that unite their peoples, and their desire to achieve coordination, integration, and interconnection among them in all fields, and their conviction that coordination, cooperation, and integration among them serve the lofty goals of the Arab nation.
Over its more than four decades of history, the GCC has achieved many historic steps that strengthen the structure of the Council and consolidate its goals and aspirations in the conscience of the people of the Gulf. These include the establishment of the GCC Common Market, which provides numerous benefits, including ensuring the flow of goods between the GCC countries, leading to increased competition between Gulf institutions for the benefit of consumers. The GCC countries also established a "Free-Trade Zone", which is primarily characterized by exempting the industrial, agricultural, and natural resource products of the GCC countries from customs tariff. The Free-Trade Zone came into effect in March 1983 and continued for about twenty years until the end of 2002, when it was replaced by the GCC Customs Union.
Intra-GCC trade volume reached more than USD 131 billion in 2023, a growth of 3.3%, while foreign trade in goods reached USD 1.5 trillion, a growth of 4%. These economic indicators point to promising opportunities that should be leveraged to enhance joint Gulf cooperation in all commercial fields.
During its fifth decade, the GCC also completed the unified identity card project for the GCC countries (the smart card), which has facilitated the movement of citizens between member states and reduced waiting times at ports of entry by means of electronic gates. It has also helped facilitate the flow of national labor between member states.
Within the context of the milestones and projects of the GCC journey, came the adoption of the comprehensive security strategy for its member states, as well as the GCC Joint security agreement. Joint military action has also received the attention of Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC states. Among the most prominent achievements on this path are the adoption of the GCC Joint Defense Agreement, the GCC's defense strategy, the formation of the joint Peninsula Shield Forces, and the conduct of joint military drills.
The electricity interconnection between the GCC countries is considered one of the most important infrastructure projects approved by the Council. The project's benefits include reducing the reserve requirement in each country, providing mutual coverage in the event of an emergency, utilizing surplus power, and reducing the cost of electricity production.