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GCC in focus: Looking back at the top seven Gulf stories of 2023

 

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional organization consisting of six members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Established in 1981, the GCC's objectives are to enhance coordination and integration among its members. 



In 2023, notable developments in the six countries include the COP28 Summit in Dubai, the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the focus on space technologies, the BRICS group joining six other countries, the first-ever liquefied hydrogen ship in Oman, the return of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the Arab League, and the introduction of Fedha, a virtual news presenter generated using artificial intelligence.


COP28 marked the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, while the G20 Summit in September launched the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The UAE, Bahrain, and the UK are set to join forces to develop advanced space technologies to reduce greenhouse emissions and tackle natural disasters.


Syria has joined the Arab League after years of isolation, attending the 32nd summit in Jeddah in May. In April, Fedha, a virtual news presenter generated using artificial intelligence, gained headlines when the anchor appeared on the Twitter account of the Kuwait News website, asking viewers what kind of news they prefer.

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