First summit between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council, 16 October 2024

The summit was chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in his capacity as the rotating president of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The summit was an opportunity for the European Union to develop a closer partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council and its member states (the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait), who are geostrategic partners at a time of difficult geopolitical circumstances.

The leaders agreed to work together to enhance global and regional security and prosperity, including preventing the emergence and escalation of conflicts and resolving crises through enhanced dialogue, coordination and engagement.

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, led the UAE delegation at the first GCC-European Union Summit held today in the Belgian capital Brussels. 

During his participation, Sheikh Maktoum said the summit offered a unique opportunity for constructive dialogue to advance mutual development. The summit fostered an extensive exchange of perspectives on addressing cross-border challenges, promoting growth, and accelerating global progress. It also placed particular focus on green transformation, clean energy, and other critical areas shaping the future.

The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council look forward to achieving successful results in the upcoming twenty-ninth Conference of the Parties, after the previous conference, which was held in the United Arab Emirates, achieved a resounding success.

 With a decision on climate finance that takes into account the needs and priorities of developing countries and is in line with the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

EU-GCC relations are based on a cooperation agreement signed in 1989, which establishes regular dialogue on cooperation between the EU and GCC on economic relations, climate change, energy, the environment and research.

The cooperation agreement also established an EU-GCC Joint Council at foreign minister level, which meets regularly. During the Joint Council held in Brussels in February 2022, EU and GCC foreign ministers endorsed a Joint cooperation programme for the 2022-2027 period, which was updated in October 2023.

The programme outlines specific joint activities and deepened cooperation across numerous sectors including:

• trade and investment
• climate change
• green transition
• people-to-people initiatives
• counter-terrorism

During the summit, the Presidency of the European Union Council expressed its hope that this event would build a new era of cooperation between the two sides, achieve practical results and address mutual challenges.