Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh hosts today the 42nd summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) amid shared determination to strengthen bonds and confront challenges under their various forms.

Founded in May 1981, the GCC comprises Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

The summit is held annually to discuss progress in achieving coordination, integration, and interdependence between the Gulf states in the economy, trade, education, and culture.

The Riyadh summit is expected to strengthen cooperation and integration among the member states in various fields and to discuss the latest regional and international developments and their impact on the GCC.

Security in the region and the impact of the COVID pandemic, mainly on the economy, will also be on the agenda of the annual summit.

On Sunday, the GCC foreign ministers held a preparatory meeting, chaired by Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, with the participation of GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al Hajraf.

Al Hajraf said the foreign ministers expressed their confidence that the 42nd summit will be a continuation of the GCC towards further prosperity and progress and will look forward to strengthening cooperation in all fields.

The meeting discussed topics on the summit agenda, including the report of the General Secretariat on the implementation of the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, approved in 2015, and the decisions implemented in this regard.

It also reviewed the steps taken towards achieving integration and cooperation within the GCC and the reports and recommendations submitted by the competent councils, ministerial committees, and the General Secretariat to be presented to the GCC leaders at their summit.

Al Hajraf thanked Bahrain for its efforts during its presidency of the GCC 41st session and congratulated Saudi Arabia for assuming the presidency of the 42nd GCC Summit.

Source: Bahrain News Agency