The Statute of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

The statute of any regional or international organization serves as the document that defines the organizational objectives and fundamental principles upon which the organization is based. Under the Statute of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Council was established on 25 May 1981 (21 Rajab 1401 AH). The Council’s headquarters is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and its primary mission is to achieve coordination, integration, and interconnection among its member states across all fields, aiming to achieve unity among the member states (1). 

The GCC comprises six member states: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Fundamental Objectives of the GCC

The fundamental objectives of any organization are among the most critical elements defined by its statute. These objectives shape the organization’s work and the decisions it will make. Accordingly, the fundamental objectives of the GCC are as follows:

1. To achieve coordination, integration, and interconnection among member states in all fields, ultimately leading to their unity.
2. To deepen and strengthen the ties, connections, and cooperation among their peoples in various domains.
3. To establish uniform regulations across diverse fields, including the following areas: economic and financial affairs, commerce, customs, and transportation; educational and cultural affairs; social and health affairs; media and tourism; and legislative and administrative affairs.
4. To promote scientific and technological progress in industry, mining, agriculture, and water and animal resources; establish research centers; undertake joint projects; and encourage private sector cooperation for the collective benefit of their peoples (2).

Key Bodies of the GCC and Their Roles

The GCC comprises three main bodies:

1. The Supreme Council:
   • The Supreme Council is the highest authority within the GCC, comprising the heads of state of the member countries. The presidency of the Supreme Council rotates annually in alphabetical order of the member states’ names.
   • The Supreme Council holds its regular session annually, with extraordinary sessions convened at the request of any member state, supported by another member (3).
   • The Supreme Council formulates the Council’s top-level policies and overarching guidelines (4).

To uphold equality among member states, the Statute provides that each member of the Supreme Council has one vote in decision-making (5).

• The Supreme Council is supported by a Dispute Settlement Authority, which addresses conflicts referred to it. Notably, the Supreme Council may refer any dispute over interpreting or applying the Statute to this Authority (6).

1. The Ministerial Council:
   • The Ministerial Council consists of the foreign ministers of the member states or their representatives. It meets every three months, with extraordinary sessions convened at the request of any member state, supported by another (7).
   • The Ministerial Council proposes policies, recommendations, and studies, which the Supreme Council reviews and approves as deemed appropriate (8).
2. The Secretariat General:
   • The Secretariat General comprises the Secretary General, their assistants, and the necessary staff. The Secretary General serves a three-year term, renewable once. They bear direct responsibility for the Secretariat’s operations, oversee its departments, and represent the GCC in dealings with external entities (9).
   • The Secretariat primarily performs administrative functions, including preparing studies on joint initiatives, drafting periodic reports on the Council’s activities, and following up on the implementation of decisions and recommendations issued by the Supreme and Ministerial Councils (10).

Privileges and Immunities Granted to the Organization within Member States

The GCC and its bodies enjoy the legal capacity, privileges, and immunities necessary to perform their duties and fulfill their functions within the territory of each member state. Additionally, representatives of the member states in the GCC and its employees enjoy privileges and immunities that enable them to carry out their tasks effectively (11).

 

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Sources:

1. Articles (3, 4) of the GCC Statute, signed on 25 May 1981 (21 Rajab 1401 AH) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
2. Article (4) of the GCC Statute.
3. Article (7) of the GCC Statute.
4. Article (8) of the GCC Statute.
5. Article (9) of the GCC Statute.
6. Article (10) of the GCC Statute.
7. Article (11) of the GCC Statute.
8. Articles (8, 12) of the GCC Statute.
9. Article (14) of the GCC Statute.
10. Article (15) of the GCC Statute.
11. Article (17) of the GCC Statute.