A model of cooperation in a fragmented world

Written By Greg Watson

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In Davos, leaders from around the world are coming together for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’.

  • The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stands out as an example of regional integration, coordinated capital deployment and shared infrastructure.

  • At a time when many nations are pulling apart, the GCC stands as a template for cooperation in an increasingly fragmented global economy, proving that regional unity can be a powerful engine for growth.

Since its establishment in 1981, the GCC has pursued deeper economic integration through institutional frameworks designed to enable cross-border trade, investment and mobility. These frameworks, acting like building blocks of integration, have progressively evolved into practical mechanisms supporting a more unified regional economy.

Source: Geographies of Cooperation

Greg Watson
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