The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) Email Format
Public Policy OfficesRiyadh, Saudi Arabia201-500 Employees
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) is a regional intergovernmental organization focused on public policy, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1981 following a summit in Abu Dhabi by the leaders of six Gulf states: the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, State of Qatar and State of Kuwait. Its core mandate is to enhance coordination, integration, and interconnectivity among member states and to deepen ties among their peoples. It seeks to harmonize laws and regulations across fields such as economic and financial affairs, trade and customs, education and culture, health and information, and it promotes scientific progress through joint projects and the establishment of research centers, while encouraging private-sector cooperation. Its primary audience includes member-state governments and their populations, with a remit to align governance, legal frameworks, and cross-border initiatives. Recent developments include the launch of the Gulf Legislation Platform in June 2026 and a collaboration with Canada to advance a joint action plan for 2025-2029 focusing on political, security, trade, energy, education, and health priorities.