Today, Tuesday, December 14, 2021, the summit of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council will be held in its forty-second session.

Yesterday, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chaired the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh, the 150th preparatory session for the Gulf Summit of the Ministerial Council of the Cooperation Council, with the participation of the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Arabic Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf.

The meeting discussed topics on the agenda, including the report of the General Secretariat on the implementation of the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - approved by the Supreme Council in 2015, and the decisions implemented in this regard and what has been accomplished within the framework of Achieving integration and cooperation in the process of joint Gulf action, in addition to the reports and recommendations submitted by the competent councils, ministerial committees, and the General Secretariat in preparation for submission to the Supreme Council, which will be held today.

Gulf summits in Saudi Arabia.. Important turning points in transformations

Over the past decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has hosted many summits of the leaders of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and Riyadh and Al-Ula were important turning points in many Gulf decisions and transformations whose results were embodied in the interest of the peoples of the region.

The forty-first summit was called (Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah Summit) and its work was held in Maraya Hall in Al-Ula Governorate. On Tuesday, Jumada Al-Awwal 21, 1442 AH, corresponding to January 05, 2021, at the kind invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him; She is the last host of the Kingdom.

And the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had previously been honored to host the work of the session ten times, starting with the second session, where it was celebrated with many developments, initiatives and decisions that serve the Gulf citizen first, and raise his status as the first component of the GCC countries.

On the fourteenth of Muharram 1402 AH corresponding to the eleventh of November 1981 AD, the second session of the meeting of the leaders of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf was held at the invitation of His Majesty King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God have mercy on him - where the Council reviewed the political, economic and security situation In the Gulf region in light of the current developments, and announced its intention to continue coordination in these areas to confront the dangers surrounding the region and to increase contacts between the GCC countries in order to ward off these dangers. His Excellency, declaring his rejection of these attempts, and renewed his belief that there is no way to achieve a just peace in the Middle East without Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and the removal of Israeli settlements that are established on Arab lands.

The Council reviewed Arab and international reactions to the principles of peace announced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue. The Council decided to request the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to include them on the agenda of the Twelfth Arab Summit to be held in Morocco with the aim of crystallizing a unified Arab position on the Palestinian issue.

In response to the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God have mercy on him - the eighth session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf was held in Riyadh from 6 to 9 Jumada al-Ula 1408 AH corresponding to 26 to 29 December 1987 AD in the presence of Their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders of countries the Council.

The summit witnessed the opening of the headquarters of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in Riyadh, where it was inaugurated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God have mercy on him - with his brothers, Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states. From the building is the meeting of the leaders of the GCC states on this blessed night.” The Supreme Council reviewed the process of cooperation between the member states in the political, security, military, economic and social fields. It also reviewed the developments of the Iraq-Iran war, the situation in the Gulf, the Arab situation, the Palestinian issue and the problem of Lebanon.

The Council reviewed the Arab situation, praising the results of the extraordinary Arab summit that was held in Amman in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in terms of strengthening Arab solidarity and adopting it as a basic basis for joint Arab action aimed at embodying the unity of the Arab position.

In the areas of coordination, the Council considered the oil situation and recent developments in global markets, and stressed the need to maintain market stability, and the obligation of all OPEC countries to the established prices, and to stop granting direct and indirect discounts.

In 1414 AH, specifically on the ninth of Rajab, corresponding to December 22, 1993, Riyadh hosted the fifteenth summit again under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God have mercy on him. The Council reviewed the development of the good march of the Cooperation Council in the political, security, military, economic, social and cultural fields in In light of the results and recommendations made by the ministerial committees and the Ministerial Council, and studying ways to advance collective action out of faith in the common destiny and unity of purpose and the desire to enhance the process of cooperation in order to achieve the goals set by the statute and embodied in joint action decisions in all its aspects.

The speech delivered by King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God have mercy on him - at the opening session included the positions and foundations of joint action in the next stage, where the Supreme Council affirmed its full determination to accelerate the pace of the GCC march towards broader horizons to face all challenges and keep pace with regional and international changes Meeting the aspirations and aspirations of the leaders and peoples of the GCC states to achieve security, stability and prosperity.

The leaders discussed regional developments and developments in the Gulf region in light of the Iraqi regime’s violation of the cease-fire conditions set by Resolution 687, by continuing its policy of procrastination in implementing Security Council resolutions related to its aggression and its continued reiteration of its expansionist allegations in the State of Kuwait, threatening its sovereignty and independence, and endangering regional security. at risk.

The Supreme Council heard a detailed explanation from His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates - may God have mercy on him - on the dispute between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran over the three islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, calling on Iran to respond to the call Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to conduct a direct dialogue and to abide by all peaceful means in order to end this occupation.

The Supreme Council examined the outcome of the security and living situation in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a result of the continuation of the sinful Serbian aggression, the commission of the most heinous crimes of ethnic genocide against humanity by Serbian regular and irregular forces in that stricken republic, its violation of United Nations charters and its blatant defiance of international legitimacy.

On the nineteenth of Sha’ban 1420 AH corresponding to the twenty-seventh of November 1999 AD, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God have mercy on him - inaugurated the meetings of the twentieth session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, addressing a welcome speech In it, the brothers, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said: “The acceleration and development of international events in our time are heavy in their impact on all the countries of the world of which we are a part, and this fact makes us realize that we are not immune from the effects of that transformation, so we have to read the possibilities The future and we are preparing for it, relying on God, then on insight into events with a vigilant mind. Without that, we will remain on the sidelines, watching them helplessly. And whoever does not understand the reasons and sets goals and presents the means to achieve them will remain from the group of the affected, not the influential, which is what we distance our countries and peoples from.

He added - may God have mercy on him -: “Our Gulf region has been blessed by God with many bounties, and he singled it out for its strategic location. It was and still is the focus of attention from everywhere, and unless we were able to achieve a unified Arab power, the least we must achieve is to achieve a comprehensive military unity for our Gulf region so that it does not remain The security of our countries and peoples is subject to the whims and international interests, and this is a situation that we do not accept for our countries and peoples.”

His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs - may God have mercy on him - announced after the end of the summit that their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf agreed on the categories of customs duties (exempt goods…basic goods) at a rate of 5.5% and other goods at a rate of 7 5%, and revealed that the customs union of the GCC states will be implemented at the beginning of March 2005.

He reported - may God have mercy on him - that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia submitted four working papers to develop the basic system of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

On the 18th day of the month of Dhu al-Qa’dah 1427 AH corresponding to December 9, 2006 AD, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God have mercy on him - inaugurated the meetings of the twenty-seventh session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (Jaber Summit) at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh.

And after welcoming their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and their Excellencies and Highnesses in their second homeland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he - may God have mercy on him - said: “And since this was the first meeting of the summit after the death of our dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, may God bless him with his mercy.” We named this summit after the dear deceased for all his efforts in the service of Gulf cooperation.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - may God have mercy on him - stressed that this annual meeting represents an opportunity to review what has been achieved during the past year and what has not been achieved for one reason or another.

He added: “Our Arab region is surrounded by a number of dangers, as if it were a tank full of gunpowder waiting for a spark to explode, and we have nothing but to be one row like a solid structure, and our voice should be one voice that expresses the whole Gulf.”

And he concluded - may God have mercy on him - his speech by saying: “When we talk about economic citizenship, we find that we have come a long way and we still have a lot ahead to be able to say that we have achieved complete economic unity and that the Gulf citizen is treated in the entire Gulf as he is treated in his homeland.”

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, held two closed working sessions.

Riyadh hosted on the twenty-fourth of Muharram 1433 AH corresponding to the nineteenth of December 2011 AD the meetings of the thirty-second session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, which were inaugurated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God have mercy on him - by stressing that The summit is held in light of challenges that call for vigilance, and a time that imposes unity of class and word.

And he - may God have mercy on him - said: “History has taught us and experiences have taught us not to stop at our reality and say we are satisfied, and whoever does that will find himself at the end of the convoy and facing loss and the reality of weakness, and this is something that we do not accept all of our countries, our people, our stability and our security, so I ask you today that we move beyond the stage Cooperation to the stage of union into one entity that achieves good and repels evil, God willing.”

Subsequently, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his brothers, Their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders and heads of delegations of the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, held their closed working session.

Then His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs - may God have mercy on him - in the presence of His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, held a press conference in which His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs - may God have mercy on him - stressed that the most prominent results from the summit were the welcome of leaders of countries The Council and their blessing of the proposal contained in the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - may God have mercy on him - to move from the stage of cooperation to the stage of union and the formation of a body with three members from each country to study it from its various aspects, stressing that this step would advance these goals and objectives as hoped, in line with The Statute of the Council, which provides for the achievement of coordination, integration and interdependence among member states in all fields in order to reach their unity.

On the 27th of Safar 1437 AH corresponding to the 9th of December 2015 CE,

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - inaugurated the meetings of the thirty-sixth session of the Supreme Council of Their Majesties and Highnesses, Leaders of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh.

The Supreme Council was pleased with the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President of the session of the Supreme Council, regarding the promotion of joint Gulf action, and thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the lofty contents it contained to enhance the blessed march of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its international and regional standing The Council approved this vision and instructed the Ministerial Council, the relevant ministerial committees, and the General Secretariat to implement what was stated in it, provided that implementation be completed during 2016.

The Supreme Council was briefed on the outcome of the consultations regarding the proposal of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God have mercy on him, to move from the stage of cooperation to the stage of union. It was stipulated in the decision of the Supreme Council in this regard at its thirty-third session, which was held in Sakhir, Kingdom of Bahrain, December 2012.

The council discussed the developments of regional and international political and economic issues, in light of the rapid events and developments that the region and the world are witnessing, and took the necessary decisions in their regard.

On the second of Rabi’ al-Thani 1440 AH corresponding to December 9, 2018, and in response to a generous invitation from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - the Supreme Council held its thirty-ninth session in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Supreme Council discussed the developments of the joint Gulf action, stressed the importance of preserving the council’s gains and the achievements of its integrative path, and directed the competent bodies in the member states, the General Secretariat and the ministerial and technical committees to redouble efforts to achieve the lofty goals stipulated in the statute of the Cooperation Council.

Following the conclusion of the summit’s work, the “Riyadh Declaration” was issued, which stipulated the following:

Nearly 37 years after the establishment of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the dangers that threaten the security and stability of the region, and the economic challenges it is going through, prove the importance of adhering to the council’s blessed path, strengthening collective action and mobilizing joint energies to confront these risks and challenges, and meet the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC countries to achieve More gains from Gulf integration.

Today we realize the insight of the leaders who established this council in May 1981: Where the basic system approved by the founders stipulated that the supreme goal of the Cooperation Council is “to achieve coordination, integration and interdependence among member states in all fields in order to reach their unity, and to deepen and strengthen existing ties, links and aspects of cooperation.” among its peoples in various fields.

Today, Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states affirm their keenness to preserve the strength, cohesion and strength of the Cooperation Council, and the unity of ranks among its members, due to the special relations and common features that bind them together, based on the Islamic faith and Arab culture, the ancient history, the common destiny and the unity of purpose that unites them and binds their sons together.

The Gulf Cooperation Council has made important achievements during its course, which contributed to making this region an oasis of stability, security, economic prosperity and social peace, and many achievements have been made towards achieving full Gulf citizenship, but the new challenges we face today require more to be achieved to enhance the process of joint Gulf action. Completing the steps, programs and projects of economic, social, political, security and military integration.

Over the past decades, all the GCC states have presented ambitious visions for the council’s march, through which they launched important integrative projects in all fields, aiming to invest the council’s human and economic wealth for the benefit of the citizens in the GCC states.

The vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, laid the necessary foundations for completing the integration system among the GCC states in all fields.

Today, Their Majesties and Highnesses stressed the importance of completing the necessary programs and projects to achieve the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may God protect him, which the leaders approved at the Riyadh Summit in December 2015, and directed to take the necessary steps for that.

In continuation to enhance joint Gulf action and expand areas of cooperation and integration among the GCC states in various fields, and to achieve the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC states and their hopes for further communication and interdependence, Riyadh hosted the fortieth session of the summit headed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and in the presence of Their Majesties and Highnesses and heads of delegations The Majlis, in Diriyah Palace, on Rabi’ Al-Akhir 13, 1441 AH, corresponding to December 10, 2019.

The leaders discussed a number of topics that contributed to strengthening the process of joint Gulf action in various political, economic, defense, security and legal fields, in addition to developments in the region, current political issues and international positions towards them.

The forty-first summit, which was called (Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah Summit) and was held in Maraya Hall in Al-Ula Governorate, on Tuesday 21 Jumada Al-Awwal 1442 AH corresponding to January 05, 2021, at the kind invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may he protect him God - headed by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense; To continue the path of goodness and cooperation, achieve common interests, and enhance the security and stability of the region.

The summit issued a statement of Al-Ula, which emphasized Gulf, Arab and Islamic solidarity and stability, and the strengthening of bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the Arab Gulf states and their peoples to serve their hopes and aspirations.

He also stressed the strengthening of military integration among the GCC states, and the strengthening of the council’s regional and international role through unifying political positions and developing strategic partnerships between the GCC and countries, groups, and regional and international organizations to serve common interests.

The (Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah Summit) demonstrated the keenness of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to enhance the gains of the Council, achieve the aspirations of the Gulf citizen, and overcome all obstacles to the process of joint action.

As a continuation of this decades-long march of achievements of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host, for the eleventh time in its history, the forty-second session, on next Tuesday, Jumada Al-Awwal 10, 1443 AH, corresponding to December 14, 2021 AD, at the kind invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him -.