Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders concluded their 46th Summit on Wednesday with a pledge to boost integration and tackle emerging challenges.
They issued the ‘Sakhir Declaration’ at the end of the Summit, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain. The declaration stated that GCC leaders have affirmed their commitment to five key principles. These focus on integrating the states, ensuring the security of GCC countries and preventing foreign interference, economic and technological development, sustainability, and international relations.
1. Strengthening bonds among GCC countries
The first principle focuses on strengthening the pre-existing bonds among member nations. The leaders affirmed their intent to continue advancing integration across various fields.
2. No foreign interference
The GCC Summit emphasized respecting the sovereignty of GCC states and all countries in the region, non-interference in internal affairs, and rejecting the use of force.
They affirmed that the security and stability of GCC states are indivisible, and any infringement upon a member state’s sovereignty is a direct threat to their collective security.
As part of this, the GCC welcomed the outcome of the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit and reiterated its support for the two-state solution for Palestine. It also affirmed its commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid delivery, reconstructing Gaza, and advancing efforts to establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967, borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
3. Economic, scientific, and technological development
The third principle focuses on economic development and technological and scientific advancement. The leaders stressed the importance of the GCC Common Market and the Customs Union, enhancing trade and tourism, and encouraging investment in strategic projects.
They also emphasized boosting digital infrastructure integration, facilitating e-commerce, and supporting the development of shared systems for digital payments and cloud services. The leaders stressed enhancing cooperation in technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity within the framework of a joint GCC strategy.
4. Sustainability and environment
The GCC is committed to encouraging sustainable initiatives, environmental protection, addressing climate change challenges, reducing carbon emissions, advancing clean and renewable energy projects, and preserving natural and marine resources.
5. Combating terrorism, safeguarding GCC countries
The GCC countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening international cooperation to safeguard regional security. This involves deepening political, security, and economic partnerships with friendly countries, international organizations, and economic blocs.
It also includes combating extremism and terrorism in all its forms, countering hate speech and incitement, tackling transnational organized crime, and supporting the efforts of joint naval forces headquartered in Bahrain.
The leaders further emphasized working towards making the Middle East a region free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, and averting arms races to reinforce regional security and stability.
The leaders expressed their support for Bahrain in its representation of the Arab Group as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the next two years.
They also expressed appreciation for the participation of Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, in the bilateral discussions, which focused on strengthening the deep-rooted historical relations.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to establish a joint action plan to elevate relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
