The Al-Ula announcement was read by the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, and the following is his text:

Al-Ula Declaration issued at the 41st session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf ("Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah Summit"

Al-Ula - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Jumada Al-Awwal 21, 1442 AH - corresponding to January 5, 2021 AD

The summit of leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council states in its forty-first session, "the summit of Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah", affirmed the lofty goals of the Cooperation Council, as stipulated in the Basic Law, to achieve cooperation, coherence and integration among the GCC states in all fields, in order to reach their unity and strengthen Its regional and international role, and working as a single economic and political group to contribute to achieving security, peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Citizens of the countries of the region hope that the "Al-Ula statement", which was reached at this summit, will restore joint action to its natural course, and strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among the peoples of the region.

The signature of the Arab Republic of Egypt on the Al-Ula statement confirms the strengthening of brotherly relations between brotherly Egypt and the GCC states, based on what the Basic Law stipulates that coordination, cooperation and integration between the GCC states serve the lofty goals of the Arab nation.

The challenge of the emerging corona pandemic has shown what can be achieved through cooperation between countries of the world in facing this epidemic, as the G20 managed to achieve unprecedented achievements during the presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this field. There is no doubt that facing the pandemic and dealing with its repercussions requires strengthening joint Gulf action, in particular the following:

Full and accurate implementation of the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was approved by the Supreme Council in its 36th session in December 2015, according to a specific timetable and careful follow-up, including the completion of the components of the economic unit and the two joint defense and security systems and the elaboration of A unified foreign policy.

Activating the role of the "Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control" that was established at this summit, based on what was included in the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and quickly enabling him to coordinate joint Gulf action to confront the Corona pandemic and other epidemics.

Completing the requirements of the customs union and the Gulf Common Market, and achieving full economic citizenship, including granting citizens of the GCC countries freedom to work, move and invest, and equal access to education and health care, build the Gulf railway network, food and water security system, encourage joint projects, and localize Gulf investment .

Benefiting from the advanced tools developed for cooperation within the framework of the Group of Twenty, during the presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in all fields, including stimulating the economy, engaging the business sector and civil society institutions, empowering women and youth more in economic development, and encouraging initiatives related to the digital economy And mandating the general secretariat of the council to follow up and develop plans and programs to implement this in cooperation with specialized expertise houses.

Developing technical capabilities in government agencies, including artificial intelligence, to ensure the speed and efficiency of implementing services and procedures, and developing educational curricula, health care and digital trade. And strengthening cooperation between the institutions of the Council and the Digital Cooperation Organization, which was established in 2020 AD, in the interests of the GCC countries.

Strengthening the tools of governance, transparency, accountability, integrity and combating corruption through joint Gulf action and in all organs of the Gulf Cooperation Council, its offices and specialized organizations, and benefiting from what was agreed upon within the framework of the G20 and the "Riyadh Initiative" regarding cooperation in investigations of cross-border corruption cases and the prosecution of their perpetrators, as they constitute Corruption has a major impact on economic growth, sustainable development, and mutual trust between governments and peoples.

Promoting military integration among the GCC countries under the supervision of the Joint Defense Council, the Supreme Military Committee and the unified military leadership of the Cooperation Council, to face the emerging challenges, based on the joint defense agreement and the principle of collective security for the GCC countries.

Continuing the steps taken by the GCC countries, and the G20 headed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to confront the pandemic and mitigate its effects locally, regionally and internationally, including assisting the least developed countries in the health and economic fields.

Enhancing the regional and international role of the Council by unifying political positions and developing strategic partnerships between the Cooperation Council and the states, groups, and regional and international organizations in a way that serves common interests.

The summit of "Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah" confirmed the keenness of the leaders of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council to consolidate the Council’s gains, achieve the aspirations of the Gulf citizen, and overcome all obstacles that hinder the joint work process.

Issued in the city of Al-Ula - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

On Tuesday, Jumada Al-Awwal 21, 1442 AH, corresponding to January 5, 2021 AD