Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Context:
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) recently approved a landmark One-Stop Travel System to streamline movement across member states.
The initiative will be piloted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain and will be starting in December 2025.
The GCC also recently marked its 44th anniversary
About the GCC:
GCC was officially established in 1981 with the first summit held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
It is a regional entity aimed at achieving coordination, integration, and interconnection among member states in all fields.
GCC comprises of some of the fastest growing economies in the world, mainly due to an increase in oil and natural gas revenues coupled with a building and investment boom backed by reserves.
The council consists of six nations:
UAE
Bahrain
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar.
Organization Structure: The structure of the GCC consists of the Supreme Council (Consists Head of the 6 countries), the Ministerial Council and the Secretariat General.
Secretariat: Riyadh.
Core Objectives:
To strengthen ties between peoples and establish similar systems in economic, financial, commercial, customs, and defense fields.
To protect the security of member states based on the premise that the security of the GCC is indivisible.
One-Stop Travel System:
It allows citizens to complete all immigration, customs, and security checks at a single checkpoint
This eliminates the need for multiple inspections upon arrival.
It utilizes a shared electronic platform for data coordination between member states.
Once fully implemented, air travel across the Gulf will function similarly to domestic travel.
GCC Grand Tours Visa:
A Schengen-style unified tourist visa is set for a pilot launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a full rollout anticipated by 2026.
Gulf Railway:
A multi-billion-dollar project to link the six nations with approximately 2,177 kilometres of track.
The deadline for completion is set for December 2030.