The 46th Ordinary Session of the GCC Summit, held in Manama yesterday, comes at a very significant time in the history of the GCC and the region. Amid turmoil and long-running conflicts in the region, the GCC has been an anchor of stability and prosperity for the region and beyond.
Representing Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani led Qatar’s delegation at the summit. Their Highnesses the leaders of the GCC countries also attended the session.
From Qatar’s perspective, the summit’s outcomes, particularly the Sakhir Declaration, reaffirm the central principle that has long guided Doha’s regional vision: that the strength, stability, and prosperity of the Gulf are best secured through deeper integration, unity and cooperation.
The summit’s emphasis on full economic unity—through completing the GCC Common Market, advancing the Customs Union, and investing in connectivity and technology—aligns closely with Qatar’s longstanding advocacy for a modern, diversified, and knowledge-driven Gulf economy.
The Council’s unified stance on regional crises, particularly the call for a just and lasting peace in Gaza and support for a sovereign Palestinian state, reflects a diplomatic approach Qatar has consistently championed: principled, humanitarian, and rooted in international law.
Equally significant is the reaffirmation that the security of GCC states is indivisible, and that any infringement upon the sovereignty of a member state constitutes a direct threat to their collective security. As climate change accelerates and the global economy undergoes profound transformation, the GCC’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and digital integration mirrors Qatar’s national priorities and investments, from renewable energy to AI and advanced technologies.
