The GCC - an Important Organization When Joining the Arab States

Added: 05/27/2006

The Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf, commonly referred to as Gulf Cooperation Council or GCC, is a regional organization that involves the six Persian Gulf Arab States, namely the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. It should be noted, that the common term Persian Gulf is not used in reference to the organization, since the governments of these Arab countries refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf.

The Gulf Cooperation Council was created in May 1981, when the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, State of Kuwait, State of Qatar, Sultanate of Oman and State of Bahrain met in Abu Dhabi and reach a cooperative framework that joined these states to effect integration and coordination in all fields with the aim of achieving unity, strengthen and deepen relations and areas of co-operation among the citizens of Member States.

This decision wasn't a product of the moment, but an embodiment of cultural, social and historical reality, the result of deep cultural and religious ties linking these six states. Therefore, while the Gulf Cooperation Council is a continuation of some prevailing realities, it is as well an answer to numerous challenges of economic development and security in the area. In a way, it is a fulfillment of the citizens' aspirations towards some kind of Arab regional unity.

According to the GCC Charter, the basic objectives of the organization are to strengthen ties between the peoples of Member States; to formulate regulations in a number of fields, including administration, legislation, tourism, customs, trade, finance and economy; to foster technical and scientific progress in agriculture, industry, water resources and mining; to establish scientific research centers and set up joint ventures; to encourage co-operation of the private sector; and to establish a common currency by 2010.

The highest authority of GCC is the Supreme Council, formed of the Heads of Member States. It convenes annually one regular session and a number of extraordinary sessions that may be convened upon the request of any Member State. All meetings of the Supreme Council are attended by 2/3 of the Member States, with each of them having one vote. While issues of procedural nature must be approved by the majority, resolutions on substantive matters require unanimous approval of all the members. Charged with issues referred to it by the Supreme Council, the Consultative Commission is composed of 30 GCC members, elected according to their qualification and experience for a period of three years.

Another important body of GCC, the Ministerial Council is formed of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and convenes every three month. A meeting is regarded as valid in case it is attended by 2/3 of the Member States. The Ministerial Council is empowered to propose policies, coordinate the existing activities in all fields and lay out recommendations. Resolutions adopted by ministerial committees are generally referred to the Ministerial Council, which refers these matters and other appropriate recommendations to the Supreme Council.

Among other elements of the organizational structure of the Arab States Cooperation Council is the Secretariat-General, composed of a Secretary-General appointed for three years by the Supreme Council, three Assistant Secretaries-General for economic, political and military affairs and directors-general of the Secretariat-General sectors.

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