Prelims: Current events of national and international importance
Why in News?
Recently, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved a new travel system allowing citizens to complete all travel checks at one point.
- The new travel framework was announced during the 42nd meeting of GCC Interior Ministers held in Kuwait City.
- The pilot phase is scheduled to begin in December 2025 with the UAE and Bahrain.
- If successful, the model will extend to all 6 GCC nations — Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
- This new travel mechanism mirrors the Schengen-style coordination practiced in the European Union, signalling the GCC’s commitment to building a more connected and accessible bloc.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
- It is a regional political and economic alliance in the Middle East.
- Members - The GCC consists of 6 countries on the Arabian Peninsula
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Oman
- Founded in – 1981.
- Headquarters - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Aim - To strengthening cooperation and integration among member states.
- Focuses on
- Economic cooperation (trade, investment, and a proposed common market)
- Political coordination (regional diplomacy and shared security concerns)
- Defense collaboration
- Cultural and social initiatives
- Organizational Structure of the GCC
- Supreme Council
- This is the highest authority in the GCC.
- It is composed of the heads of state (i.e., the leaders) of all 6 member countries.
- The presidency of the Supreme Council rotates annually among the member states (alphabetical rotation).
- Ministerial Council
- Composed of Foreign Ministers (or their representatives) from each GCC country.
- Meets every 3 months under normal circumstances.
- Its role is to propose policies, coordinate cooperation, and implement decisions taken by the Supreme Council.
- Secretariat General
- Acts as the administrative arm of the GCC.
- Functions include monitoring implementation of GCC decisions, preparing reports and studies, organizing meetings, and preparing agendas.
Reference
Times of India | Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
