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International Relations

The Gulf Cooperation Council

The Gulf Cooperation Council is a regional union of six Gulf states, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Riyadh, promoting economic and political integration.

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Overview

The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, commonly known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union of six Arab states of the Persian Gulf: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

History

The GCC was founded in 1981 in Abu Dhabi, with its headquarters in Riyadh. It was established to promote coordination and integration among its members in economic, political and security affairs.

Activities

The council has pursued economic integration, including a customs union and a common market, and coordinates policy on regional and international issues. Its members share a common currency peg in practice and cooperate on defence.

References

  1. Gulf Cooperation Council \u2014 GCC Secretariat (accessed 5 October 2026)
  2. Gulf Cooperation Council \u2014 Encyclopaedia Britannica (accessed 5 October 2026)

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