The State of Qatar has been at the forefront of efforts to strengthen the joint cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for the benefit of the entire region. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani chaired the 44th session of the GCC Supreme Council in Doha in December 2023, which was attended by the leaders of the GCC countries. Addressing the summit, H H the Amir said: “The accelerating international and regional variables necessitate persistent consultation and coordination between us in order to address them, avoid their consequences, and support our Council’s accomplishments in various economic, security, social, and other fields.”
Following the summit, Doha is currently also hosting the 27th session of the Advisory Board of the GCC Supreme Council. Established in 1997, the board plays a crucial role in achieving the GCC integration. It comprises 30 members, five from each member state. With decades of experience in different fields, the members represent the GCC’s best minds in knowledge and competence. The board deliberates on matters referred to it by the Supreme Council.
In its current session, the board is discussing three issues referred to it by the Supreme Council: energy security in the Gulf region, the security of technical alternatives and new systems, and the strategy to protect the youth from the danger of drug abuse and addiction in the GCC countries and ways to protect the families in the Gulf region from the negative effects of the variables affecting the global economy. The Advisory Board is studying these topics in all their aspects. Members will be distributed to three committees, each discussing a specific topic. The topics will later be discussed at the level of the Board with all its members and reports will be presented to the Council’s leaders for consideration and approval.
Addressing the opening session of the board, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said Qatar was harnessing all its capabilities to support the tasks of the Advisory Board.
The GCC countries have come a long way in their economic and social development. However, there still exists huge potential for the region in achieving further integration in a way that achieves the interests and aspirations of its peoples, provides greater opportunities for growth and prosperity, and contributes to consolidating security and stability in the region and the world. The meetings being hosted by Qatar will certainly lead to achieving these common objectives and shared desires of the GCC countries and their leaders.
