The 45th Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is taking place this Sunday in Kuwait, focusing on key regional and international developments. Topics on the agenda include the ongoing conflict in Gaza, developments in Lebanon, Red Sea security, and recent events in Syria. Additionally, the summit will address critical issues within the GCC, such as military, security, and economic cooperation among the six member states.
The GCC leaders are also exploring ways to enhance economic and political cooperation with global partners, particularly China.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi announced that negotiations for a free trade agreement with China have reached their final stage, with hopes for completion in December or the near future.
Al-Budaiwi emphasized the Gulf states’ esteemed position on the global stage, achieved through a unified foreign policy committed to international peace and security.
In a media briefing, Al-Budaiwi remarked: “The international community views the GCC as a credible and trusted strategic partner with no hidden agendas.”
Regional and International Challenges
Gulf diplomats and analysts note that the summit, held amidst significant global and regional turmoil, will focus on pressing challenges.
Former GCC Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah Bishara stated: “This summit comes at a time of critical uncertainties in the region and the world, necessitating decisive and appropriate actions by GCC states and the adoption of effective diplomacy.”
Bishara added that more than 40 years after the GCC’s inception, the framework for cooperation requires further enhancement, particularly in defense, security, diplomacy, and economic collaboration.
Dr. Mohamed Al-Rumaihi, a sociology professor at Kuwait University, noted that the GCC has steered the region through pivotal crises, including the Iran-Iraq War, the liberation of Kuwait, the Arab Spring, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He praised the wisdom of GCC leaders, which has prevented the region from sliding into wars and conflicts while achieving significant economic milestones.
Dr. Yaqoub Al-Kandari, an anthropologist and acting director of the Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies at Kuwait University, pointed out that the summit will address pressing regional and international challenges, particularly the Palestinian issue and Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.
For his part, former Kuwaiti Information Minister Saad Bin Tafla described the summit as a testament to the GCC’s seriousness in addressing regional challenges, recalling the Gulf states’ united stance during Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
Dr. Aayed Al-Mana, a political researcher, stressed that this summit prioritizes security and economic issues. He highlighted the need for enhanced economic integration among GCC states, diversification of income sources, and the development of local industries to achieve self-sufficiency.
Al-Mana further noted that regional challenges, including Israeli aggression in Gaza and South Lebanon and tensions in the Red Sea, demand unified Gulf coordination. He called for developing shared laws among GCC states, particularly in economy, mobility, and investment, to foster greater regional cohesion.
