Muscat – The Council marked the beginning of integration among its six member states at various levels, promoting the interests of their peoples and fulfilling their aspirations for stability, prosperity, development and growth.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik emphasised the Sultanate’s commitment to the GCC during his first royal speech on January 11, 2020, stating: “We will continue, along with our brothers, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, to contribute to advancing the path of cooperation between our countries to achieve the aspirations of our peoples and to advance the achievements of the Cooperation Council.”

The Sultanate of Oman continues its unwavering commitment to the Council’s principles and objectives, contributing to the formulation of its decisions and initiatives, supporting economic integration mechanisms, coordinating political positions, and enhancing cultural and social cooperation. This stems from its belief that the Council’s cohesion is a cornerstone of the region’s resilience in the face of rapid and changing global transformations.

Commenting on the topic, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel Al Maskari, Head of the GCC and Regional Neighbourhood Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated: “The establishment of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in 1981 represented a historic turning point in joint Arab action and a fundamental building block for building an effective and solid regional cooperation system. Since its inception, the Council has made significant strides in consolidating the foundations of integration and coordination among its member states in various fields, based on historical ties and common interests among its peoples.”

His Excellency added that the Council’s most notable political achievements include its ability to unify positions in regional and international forums and its role in promoting peace and stability in the region. On the economic front, the customs union and the common Gulf market, in addition to the electricity grid and transportation projects, are among the fruits of institutional cooperation.
His Excellency stated that despite these achievements, the Council faced a number of challenges, including divergent political visions, economic challenges, and rapid regional transformations. However, the dialogue and consultation mechanisms established by the Council helped overcome many obstacles with a spirit of responsibility and wisdom.

Regarding the Sultanate of Oman’s role in strengthening Gulf cooperation, especially on issues of a conciliatory nature, His Excellency said: “The Sultanate of Oman has always adopted a foreign policy based on dialogue and balance, and has sincerely sought to bring viewpoints closer together and strengthen Gulf unity.”

He emphasised that Oman is keen to support the GCC’s progress at all stages and to encourage initiatives that contribute to strengthening joint Gulf action, particularly on issues that require consensual solutions and well-thought-out understandings.

He further explained that the Council’s future vision requires keeping pace with global transformations by modernising mechanisms, activating integration tools, and promoting unified policies on strategic issues such as cybersecurity, climate change, and sustainable development, in addition to continuing to work towards an integrated economic union that achieves security and prosperity for the peoples of the GCC countries.

Regarding the future of Gulf integration in areas such as the digital economy, food security, and renewable energy, His Excellency explained that these areas currently constitute a top priority on the Gulf cooperation agenda, and that Gulf coordination in these areas is expected to witness tangible development through unified strategies and innovative initiatives.
His Excellency affirmed Oman’s belief in the unity and integration of the Gulf community as the most important pillar for achieving security, stability, and development in the region.