The Gulf Cooperation Council is the regional intergovernmental union of six Arab Gulf states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Founded in Abu Dhabi in May 1981 amid the Iran-Iraq War, the GCC coordinates economic, political, and security policy across the Arabian Peninsula.
At a glance
- Founded: 1981 (Founded in Abu Dhabi, 25 May 1981)
- Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Official languages: Arabic
- Website: www.gcc-sg.org
Mission
The GCC's charter aims at coordination, integration, and interconnection between member states; deepening their links and cooperation across all sectors; and strengthening relations between their peoples. Practical priorities have included a common market, a customs union, eventual currency unification, and joint defence arrangements.
Structure
The Supreme Council of heads of state meets annually and is the highest authority. The Ministerial Council prepares Supreme Council decisions. The Secretariat-General in Riyadh, headed by the Secretary-General, handles operations. The Peninsula Shield Force is the bloc's joint military force, headquartered in Saudi Arabia.
Member states
GCC has 6 member states. Membership current as of 2024-01.
Key facts
- GCC nationals can travel and reside between member states using only their national ID card — a level of free movement comparable to the European Union.
- The 2017–2021 diplomatic crisis saw Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt sever ties with Qatar; relations were restored at the Al-Ula Summit in 2021.
- The proposed common currency (originally targeted for 2010) has not been implemented; the UAE and Oman withdrew from the project in 2009.
- The GCC produces around a fifth of the world's crude oil and holds roughly a third of global proven reserves.
- The Peninsula Shield Force has been deployed only once in a major operation: into Bahrain in 2011 during the Bahraini protests.
Historic milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1981 | GCC founded in Abu Dhabi |
| 1984 | Peninsula Shield Force established |
| 2003 | GCC customs union enters force |
| 2008 | GCC common market enters force |
| 2017 | Qatar diplomatic crisis begins |
| 2021 | Al-Ula Summit reconciles Qatar with neighbours |
