The first Gulf summit in Riyadh in 1981: Historic decisions that laid the foundation for the future
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) represents a unique model of regional cohesion, as its six member states are bound by deep ties that transcend geographical boundaries, encompassing shared faith, kinship, and a common destiny. Since its inception, the Council's wise leadership has strived to solidify the concepts of integration across all fields, aiming to achieve prosperity for its people and ensure regional stability in the face of evolving challenges.
Riyadh hosts leaders for the first time
In a pivotal historical moment, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, hosted the second session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on November 10, 1981. This marked the first time the GCC summit convened on Saudi soil, under the chairmanship of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (may God have mercy on him). This summit held exceptional significance as it came just months after the inaugural summit in Abu Dhabi, representing the practical launch of translating aspirations into tangible reality.
Establishing the economic unit
The 1981 Riyadh Summit formed a cornerstone of the Gulf economic structure, as the Supreme Council approved the Unified Economic Agreement , which had been signed by the finance and economy ministers in June of that year. This agreement served as the economic constitution, paving the way for the removal of customs barriers, the coordination of trade and industrial policies, and the freedom of economic activity for citizens of member states, thus later establishing the Gulf Common Market and the Customs Union.
A unified security and political vision
The summit was held amidst highly complex regional and international circumstances, necessitating the formulation of a unified Gulf position on security challenges. The leaders reviewed the risks surrounding the region, emphasizing their categorical rejection of any attempts by foreign powers to establish a foothold in the region or threaten its sovereignty. The Council affirmed the necessity of self-reliance in safeguarding Gulf security, thereby reinforcing the concept of collective security, which has become a cornerstone of the Council's defense strategy.
The Kingdom and the Palestinian Cause
Major Arab issues were not absent from the discussions, with the Palestinian question taking center stage. The summit resolved to support the Saudi Peace Initiative (later known as the King Fahd Peace Plan) and requested that the Kingdom include its principles on the agenda of the twelfth Arab Summit in Morocco. This move aimed to forge a unified Arab position that would guarantee the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and achieve a just and comprehensive peace, reflecting the leading role of the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council states in addressing the concerns of the Arab nation.
The Riyadh Summit of 1981 was the second founding of the Council, as it moved it from the formation stage to the stage of organized institutional work, laying the first building blocks for the edifice of integration under whose shade the peoples of the region enjoy today.
