GCC Summit commits to co-operation on AI, women's empowerment and centre to fight disease

Final communique signed at meeting's conclusion addressed key issues for joint action

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  Kuwait Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim, Omani Deputy Prime Minister Fahad bin Mahmoud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Dr Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the GCC. Courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Saudi Arabia

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  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signing the Al Ula statement during this summit. Courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Saudi Arabia

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  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai signing the Al Ula statement during this summit. Courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Saudi Arabia

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  A general view of the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 41st Summit, is pictured via screen at the media centre in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia January 5, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

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  U.S. White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner attends the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 41st Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia January 5, 2021. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY

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  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the summit. Courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Saudi Arabia

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  Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim at the summit. Courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Saudi Arabia

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  Dr Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the GCC at the summit. Courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Saudi Arabia

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  Oman Deputy Prime Minister Fahad bin Mahmoud signing the Al Ula statement during this summit. Courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Saudi Arabia

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  Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa signing the Al Ula statement during this summit. Courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Saudi Arabia

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  Kuwait Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah signing the Al Ula statement during this summit. Courtesy Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Saudi Arabia

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  Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef Falah Al Hajraf attends a press conference at the Gulf Cooperation Council's 41st Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

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  Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef Falah Al Hajraf. AP Photo

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  Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud holds a press conferece. AFP

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  Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud holds a press conferece. AFP

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  Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud holds a press conferece. AFP

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  Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef Falah al-Hajraf gestures during a news conference at the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 41st Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia January 5, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

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  Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef Falah al-Hajraf and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speak during a joint news conference at the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 41st Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia January 5, 2021. Reuters

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  Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani during the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) 41st Summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia January 5, 2021. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY

At the conclusion of the 41st Gulf Co-operation Council summit, the members of the organisation and Egypt signed the final communique.

According to Wam, the statement included the following:

- The aim of reinforcing the bonds between the peoples of the region.

- Egypt's signing of the communique emphasises collective efforts to support Arab goals.

- The Covid-19 pandemic is evidence of what can be accomplished when countries co-operate with each other.

- Confronting the pandemic and addressing its fallout needs reinforced Gulf joint action.

- The Gulf Centre for the Prevention and Combatting of Diseases has been set up during the summit.

- The goal of achieving full economic integration in a way that ensures the right for all GCC citizens to work, move and invest across member states, while receiving equal education and healthcare services.

- The establishment of the GCC Railway Network and the Food and Water Security Network, and encouraging joint ventures.

- Ensuring women's and youths' empowerment in economic development.

- Encouraging digital economy-related initiatives.

- Developing artificial intelligence capacities.

- Enhancing governance, transparency, accountability, impartiality and countering corruption through Gulf joint action.

- Strengthening defence integration between GCC states.