GCC summits: Highlights of previous editions

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has held 34 regular summits since it was founded in May 1981 in Abu Dhabi.

May 1981 – Abu Dhabi

The GCC stressed that stability in the Gulf was linked to peace in the Middle East and Palestine in particular.

November 1981 – Riyadh

The GCC signed the first economic agreement aimed at abolishing barriers between member countries

1982 – Manama

The establishment of the Gulf Investment Foundation, with a capital of $2 billion

1983 – Doha

The GCC discussed political links and defence coordination between member states

1984 – Kuwait

The GCC approved the framework that organises ownership right for citizens in member states

1985 – Muscat

The GCC approved the strategic vision of defence cooperation between member states

1986 – Abu Dhabi

The GCC approved cooperation and coordination in security and communication fields

1987 – Riyadh

The GCC approved an oil-lending system between members and set negotiation mechanisms with international economic groups

1988 – Manama

GCC citizens allowed to own stocks in shareholding firms

1989 – Muscat

The GCC discussed the situation in the occupied Arab territories and the Palestinian Intifada fallout

1990 – Doha

The GCC discussed the Iraqi aggression on Kuwait and the threat to member states’ security

1991 – Kuwait

The GCC called on Iraq to release prisoners of war, demarcate borders and pay indemnities

1992 – Abu Dhabi

The council discussed Serbian aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina and attacks on Muslim places of worship in India

1993 – Riyadh

The GCC welcomed the signing of the Declaration of Principles between the PLO and Israel as a first step towards a full and fair solution to the Palestinian issue

1994 – Manama

The GCC discussed violence and extremism, affirming the necessity to highlight the genuine image of Islam

1995 – Muscat

The GCC discussed the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in the Middle East, including the Gulf.

1996 – Doha

The GCC discussed decisions by the ministerial committees in the areas of economy, security and military affairs.

1997 – Kuwait

The GCC adopted three systems to protect the environment

1998 – Abu Dhabi

The Lockerbie affair was a priority on the GCC agenda. It called on all concerned parties to respond to diplomatic initiative

1999 – Riyadh

The GCC suggested transforming its alliance into a united Gulf economic entity in order to deal with economic globalisation

2000 – Manama

The GCC adopted the common monetary policy for its member states as a first step towards achieving the unified economic agreement

2001 – Muscat

The GCC decided to implement the customs union in January 2003

2002 – Doha

Follow-up deliberations on the enforcement schedule of monetary union and setting the US dollar as a common anchor for the GCC countries

2003 – Kuwait

The GCC tasked the transport ministerial committee with setting up an economic feasibility study to establish a railway network linking the six GCC states

2004 – Manama (Zayed Summit)

The GCC mourned UAE President His Highness Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan

2005 – Riyadh (King Fahd Summit)

The GCC mourned the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud

2006 – Riyadh (Shaikh Jaber Summit)

The GCC mourned Kuwait Emir Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. It framed Trademarks Laws

2007 – Doha

The GCC announced the launch of the GCC Common Market, starting in January 2008

2008 – Muscat

The GCC discussed the world financial crisis and measures to be taken to limit its negative effects on the GCC economies.

2009 – Kuwait

The GCC adopted the recommendations of justice ministers to strengthen common justice cooperation and the unified system for real estate registration

2010 – Abu Dhabi

The GCC adopted the extension of insurance protection to military forces

2011 – Riyadh

The GCC tasked the Advisory Commission with a study on the need to transform the alliance into a Gulf Confederation

2012 – Manama

The GCC approved the decision taken by the Joint Defence Council and the establishment of a joint military command

2013 – Kuwait

The GCC decided to form a joint military command and a Gulf academy for security and strategic studies

— With inputs from Qatar News Agency