Security, economy, energy: High-stakes agenda for GCC Summit in Bahrain

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, will lead the United Arab Emirates delegation to the 46th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, which takes place on Wednesday in Bahrain

The annual GCC Summit brings together the heads of state from the six member countries, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman, to discuss political, economic and security cooperation. 

Established in 1981, the GCC has evolved into one of the most significant regional blocs in the Middle East, coordinating on strategic issues ranging from defence and trade to energy policy and climate action.

This year’s summit comes at a time of rapid geopolitical shifts, global economic uncertainty and heightened security concerns across the region, giving added weight to the leaders’ discussions.

Although the official agenda will be presented during the opening session, several core topics are expected to dominate the discussions:

GCC leaders are likely to focus on enhancing collective security frameworks, improving military coordination and addressing emerging threats in the region. This includes cybersecurity, maritime security and regional stability.