Gulf Cooperation Council - Essay Example

They signed the agreement to the establishment of the GCC on 25 May 1981 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after conclusive discussions that started on 4 February 1981 in Riyadh. They later signed the unified economic agreement on 11 November 1981 in Abu Dhabi. Initially, the Gulf Cooperation Council covered about 630-million-acre (2,500,000 km2) area where Yemen is now under consideration for membership (Low and Salazar, 2010, p.3). The special economic relations of these Arab countries, Islamic beliefs, similar political systems, geographic proximity, and common objectives were the drivers to the formation of the GCC (GlobalSecurity.

org 2012, p.1). Indeed, the common objectives to the formation of the GCC include the establishment of scientific research centers, joint ventures, and a common market currency by 2010. Moreover, GCC has an objective of strengthening relations between the member states, creating unified military force among the member states, and advocating for private sector cooperation on economic and social matters. GCC equally seeks to formulate similar regulations in the sectors of economy, trade, legislation, tourism, finance, and administration sectors.

In addition, GCC seeks to foster technical and scientific growth in agriculture, mining, and industry resources. Most importantly, GCC advocates for perfect coordination, integration, and interrelations among the Six Arab countries for developing the unity of purpose (The Cooperation Council for the Arab states of the Gulf, 2012, p.1). Subject to its objectives, the Gulf Cooperation Council carries out many activities with an aim of remaining relevant to its goals. For a fact, the GCC members are actually autocratic monarchies that have no political interest whatsoever (BBC News, 2012, p.1). Hence, political turnarounds rarely affect their activities.

Indeed, the member states of GCC are the most dominant force in the world’s oil industry. Hence, they control the world economy via oil trade. Actually, GCC aims at reducing its dependence on the US security though the measures to achieve this are still a mystery to the council with members divided on how to tackle Iraq, Iran and Yemen security threats. Nevertheless, in 1984, the GCC created the Saudi-based Peninsula Shield that is a joint defense force serving all the GCC members and their interests (GlobalSecurity.

org 2012, p.1). However, there is need to expand the force to serve the members effectively as proposed by Oman in 1991though this quest faces a lot of opposition. More so, in 2004, GCC member states signed the intelligence-sharing pact to countering terrorism in their territories. This pact has been very beneficial to the members. Similarly, GCC is very conscious on matters relating to the environment and hence it uses significant resources in promoting knowledge on the importance of the environment in the Gulf region.

In this line, GCC appreciates and accords prizes to individuals and organizations for Best Environmental Activities (Terra Viva Grants Directory, 2011, p.1). Economically, GCC established a common market in 2008 for its products although the members are yet to realize full benefits to this initiative. At the same breath, the customs union declared in 2003 by the GCC is yet to reach maximum returns. Consequently, the knowledge on the status of the GCC is very fundamental in tackling this paper.

Ideally, the six member states signed the charter to the formation of the GCC on 25 May 1981 at Abu Dhabi City, United Arab Emirates.