Gulf summit set to open in Riyadh after ‘prosperous’ reconciliation

The 42nd Gulf summit is set to kick off on Tuesday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, following a “prosperous” year of reconciliation between most of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

During the last year, remarkable agreements were reached on five files, most notably Iran's nuclear program and reforms in Lebanon.

Last week’s Gulf tour by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman saw the issuance of joint statements that were remarkably similar in terms of their stance on the Iranian nuclear file, its demand for Lebanon's reforms, and its view of the crises in Yemen, Syria, and Libya, the current economically deteriorating position in Afghanistan, and the completion of the approach of the Al-Ula summit declaration.

The last GCC summit took place in the Saudi city of Al-Ula on January 5.2021, which saw Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt agree to restore diplomatic, trade, and travel ties with Qatar, which were cut in 2017.