Hit enter to search or ESC to close
Politics and Governance topic in which the post is published Regional Affairs country in which the post is published

The Gulf Cooperation Council at 40

On May 27, AGSIW hosted a discussion examining the Gulf Cooperation Council's impact on its member states, the Gulf, and international relations, 40 years after its founding.

May 27, 2021

On May 25, 1981, the heads of state of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates gathered in Abu Dhabi to sign the charter creating the Gulf Cooperation Council. While the founding charter focused on coordination and integration on the economic, educational, and cultural fronts, the GCC has acted as a significant forum for security cooperation among its member states. Through the years, the GCC has proved resilient, but the 2014 and 2017 rifts with Qatar have damaged the bloc’s cohesion.

As the GCC marks its 40th anniversary, what has been the organization’s real impact on its member states, the Gulf, and international relations? Is the GCC living up to its potential to foster regional economic integration? Can the organization still function as an effective forum for cooperation on defense and security issues, despite political divisions among its members? Will the January signing of the Al Ula agreement ending the crisis with Qatar help to build back trust and collaboration?

Speakers

    Abdullah Baabood

    Chair of the State of Qatar for Islamic Area Studies and Visiting Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

    Matteo Legrenzi

    Professor of International Relations, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

    Emma Soubrier

    Non-Resident Fellow, AGSIW; Visiting Scholar, Institute for Middle East Studies

Moderator

The views represented herein are the author’s or speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of AGSIW, its staff, or its board of directors.

Support Us

Through its careful examination of the forces shaping the evolution of Gulf societies and the new generation of emerging leaders, AGSIW facilitates a richer understanding of the role the countries in this key geostrategic region can be expected to play in the 21st century.

Learn More