Statement on the 42nd session of the Supreme Council of the GCC

King Salman bin Abdulaziz, their Majesties and Highnesses, leaders and heads of delegations of the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf stressed the importance of the accurate, complete and continuous implementation of the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with the completion of the elements of economic unity and a common defence and security system.

This was a key message in the Riyadh Declaration, the final statement issued following the meeting of the 42nd session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf this evening in Riyadh, attended by His Excellency Dr Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

The statement issued following the summit expressed agreement on principles and policies to develop strategic cooperation and economic and development integration among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in order to achieve the aspirations of their citizens.

The statement also stipulated the importance of concerted efforts to coordinate and integrate the foreign policies of member states in order to crystallise a unified and effective foreign policy that serves the aspirations of the peoples of the Gulf states, preserving their interests and gains. The statement called on member states to avoid regional and international conflicts or interference in internal affairs.

The statement stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordinating plans aimed at achieving sustainability, the importance of dealing with climate change and its effects, and the importance of applying the circular carbon economy approach, launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during its presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20), as an integrated and comprehensive framework to address the challenges arising from greenhouse gas emissions and manage them through available technologies. The statement called for innovative thinking and follow-up on the implementation of initiatives, projects and mechanisms launched by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in this field.

The final statement of the summit stressed the importance of follow-up to secure the objective of the economic visions of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to achieve economic diversification and maximise the benefit of their economic potential. The statement highlighted opportunities to boost joint investments by developing the integration of road, rail and communications networks among the GCC countries, by supporting and strengthening national industries, by accelerating their growth and providing the necessary protection for them and by raising the level of competitiveness and access in order to achieve a leading industrial position capable of competing globally. The statement called for removing all obstacles and difficulties facing the implementation of joint economic action decisions among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The final statement also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation to continue confronting the Corona pandemic. It supported the process of collective action to combat epidemics, diseases and similar situations in the future, if they occur, encouraging the proposal of policies and strategies to deal with the economic and social repercussions, including conditions of travel and movement between the GCC countries.

The final statement also stressed the importance of promoting joint action towards digital transformation and modern technologies, building alliances in the field of cyber and information security in line with the aspirations of the GCC states, supporting the role of youth, the private sector and small and medium enterprises in the growth of economic diversification and encouraging partnerships, projects and initiatives in this field.

The final statement of the Riyadh Declaration called on the leaders of the committees, bodies, ministerial councils, the General Secretariat and all the organs of the Cooperation Council to develop the necessary programmes for these principles and pillars to be put into practice.

This is an unofficial English translation of the original Arabic text. To view the official Arabic text, click here.