Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf

♤ The purpose of the GCC is to achieve unity among its members based on their common objectives and their similar political and cultural identities, which are rooted in Islamic beliefs.

♤ Presidency of the council rotates annually.

♤ The GCC also has a defense planning council that coordinates military cooperation

between member countries.

♤ The highest decision-making entity of the GCC is the Supreme Council, which meets on an annual basis and consists of GCC heads of state. Decisions of the Supreme Council are adopted by unanimous approval.

♤ Some of the most important achievements of the GCC include the creation of the Peninsula Shield Force, a joint military venture based in Saudi Arabia, and the signing of an intelligence-sharing pact in 2004.