GCC Achievements in 2014

Doha, December 07 (QNA) - The State of Qatar will host the 35th session of the GCC Supreme Council from 9 to 10 December. The GCC march was able to complete several joint projects, in addition to the development of coordination, cooperation and integration in all fields amid the aspirations and hopes of GCC's citizen to achieve greater achievements. Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of GCC countries have sought through their meetings and consultations on installing the bases of GCC's entity and strengthening its foundations to achieve the ambitions and aspirations of its people and citizens through the generous support from the leaders of the GCC countries since its establishment. The General Secretariat of the GCC countries (cultural and media affairs sector) provides in this report a summary of the most important achievements of the blessed march of the Gulf Cooperation Council during 2014. At the level of economic affairs, the Supreme Council adopted during the 34th session a number of projects including, the approval of the uniform rules for the inclusion of securities (stocks, bonds, instruments and investment funds) in financial markets in the GCC States, the adoption of the uniform rules for the supervision and control of trading in the financial markets in the GCC countries, and the adoption of the uniform rules for issuing bonds and instruments in the financial markets in the GCC countries. In the commercial sphere, the GCC seeks to activate the role of the private sector and its participation in the march of joint action by providing the opportunity for the participation of the Federation of GCC chambers in the meetings of the technical committees, as well as holding joint meetings to discuss issues of concern to the private sector. Regarding, the strategy of food security, GCC countries agreed with the Islamic Development Bank to prepare a draft for food security strategy and fund it to be presented to the GCC trade committees. The UAE proposed to form a committee dealing with intellectual property. In the industrial area, the GCC countries approves the uniform rules to give priority of purchases to governmental domestic products according to the amended formula. They also approved the formation of a permanent technical committee from the concerned authorities in the Member States to follow up the implementation of these rules. On the level of knowledge planning and economy, the Council of Ministers has adopted the budget of the GCC Statistical Center for the fiscal year 2014. GCC Member States used the smart card as a proof of identity for GCC citizens in their transactions in the public and private sectors in all member states. Health data will also be included in the ID card. During its 34the session, the Supreme Council adopted a guiding strategy of the GCC e-government and the Member States provided a periodic report every three years for the working team of the developed comprehensive development strategy about the implementation of the strategic objectives by GCC joint action committees, organisations and relevant entities. In the ICT sector, the Council has finalized a strategy to deal with the received warnings in order to raise the level of performance in cases of emergency for computers. In the file of energy, electricity and water projects, this year has witnessed the agreement of the GCC countries on the Mineral Resources Officials Committee's meeting for a comprehensive and final review of all the articles of the Draft Unified Executive Regulation of Unified Law for Mining. The petroleum media strategy was also adopted during the 34th session and during the meetings of the Committee, which were held in March and April 2014, an agreement on the proposed measures to activate the mechanisms of the policies' implementation of a petroleum media strategy objective. Work is under way to review the translation of this strategy into English. In the field of transportation, the GCC countries signed a memorandum of understanding to join the organization International Organization for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF). In the area of agricultural cooperation, the Supreme Council decided at its 34th session to separate the list of quarantine pests from the Unified Agriculture Quarantine Law and list it in the implementing regulations of the same law. The Council also adopted a mechanism of camels participation in GCC racing competitions, which to be implemented in the beginning of January 2015, in addition to the adoption of the guidance document of the procedures in veterinary facilities in the GCC countries. During this year, the Memorandum of Understanding between the GCC states and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was renewed. With regard to the Customs Cooperation and Gulf Common Market, the GCC Customs Union Commission has agreed on some issues, such as the commitment of all GCC countries to accept export certificates for food items in the member states. A detailed study on improving the performance of customs ports under the GCC Customs Union in accordance to the best international practices was also agreed on. In the framework of the GCC youth work, the General Secretariat held a series workshops for youth and instructed the Ministerial Commission to study the recommendations and preliminary views of the youth. In the environmental area, the State of Kuwait provided the Member States with the study to be undertaken by the competent authorities on this issue and presented it to the Ministerial Council during its session in March 2014 to identify the number of new Iranian nuclear plants to be set up on the shores of the Arabian Gulf and their locations as well as the potential risks and preventive measures to be followed by the Member States before, during and after the occurrence of any disaster. The Council decided to adopt the necessary budget to finance projects of Gulf green initiative for environment and sustainable development with an amount of 5 million Saudi Riyals. This year also witnessed the acceptance of the offer from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research for the preparation of the detailed study for the establishment of environmental monitoring center in the GCC countries. It also approved the draft environmental study of the Gulf Environment Partnership and Action Program (GEPAP), which contributes to support development in the Gulf States and preserve the vital waterway in the Gulf. (MORE)