As it transitions from energy dominance to tech and futures leadership, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is driving transformation through innovation, collaboration and strategic diplomacy.
By combining economic diversification with technology-driven foresight, the GCC – which comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain and Oman – can play a larger role in global decision-making, balancing traditional paradigms with different perspectives. In addition, its diplomacy in regional conflicts and strategic alliances strengthens its influence amid shifting energy markets and multilateral forums.
The GCC’s growing influence stems from economic strength, modernization and visionary strategies. However, investment in co-creative capacity is crucial. Developing frameworks for inclusive stakeholder engagement and outcome-focused dialogue can enhance leadership and establish new global governance models.
Collectivist traditions like the “majlis” – Arabic for "sitting place" – set a good foundation to incorporate co-creative best practices that bridge diverse international groups to maximize potential. By enabling collaborative design toward real-world solutions, GCC nations can redefine global discussions and build resilience to global challenges.
Bridging nations through tech diplomacy
GCC nations are leveraging tech diplomacy and emerging technologies to enhance global influence and shape digital governance. Through artificial intelligence (AI) partnerships, cloud investments and regulatory harmonization – evident in the UAE’s AI agreements and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 – digital collaboration and tech manufacturing are prioritized.
Meanwhile, sovereign wealth funds like the UAE’s Mubadala and Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) drive innovation in smart traffic management, AI utilities and real-time digital twins.
The GCC acts as a digital bridge, advancing the global tech ecosystem and leading in AI and emerging technologies. Initiatives like the UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 and Saudi Arabia’s AI Center of Excellence highlight a focus on ethical AI governance, while investments in quantum computing, biotechnology and Web3 reflect long-term digital leadership. The region is also shaping global policies by applying AI to renewable energy, smart grids, cybersecurity, healthcare and genomics.
By nurturing AI talent through education, startup incubation and ethical frameworks, the GCC is building a responsible digital economy. These efforts will position the region as a resilient global tech hub and a key player in the digital arena.
Economic diversification in the Gulf region
The GCC nations are transitioning from oil to tech and culture-driven economies, with digital transformation fueling sustainability with many initiatives focusing on AI, cloud computing, biotech and fintech.
Tech hubs such as Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 and Riyadh’s The Garage attract global startups and venture capital, while PIF and Mubadala invest heavily in emerging technologies. Regulatory reforms, digital nomad visas and smart city projects create business-friendly environments, establishing the GCC as a global innovation hub and diversifying revenue streams.
The UAE is also investing in future-focused cultural institutions like the Dubai Museum of the Future, showcasing AI and biotech innovations to build the curiosity and futures-capacity of residents, and the Dubai Future Foundation, which fosters global dialogue and policy-making with a mandate to integrate GCC perspectives into future initiatives.
Recent reforms improve governance transparency, while investments in education, healthcare and social reforms – particularly for women and youth – drive societal transformation and sustainable growth.
The GCC has also expanded diplomatic ties beyond Western partners to include China, India and regional players, bolstering its role in a multipolar world. Soft power investments, such as cultural diplomacy, high-profile summits and international events, enhance the region’s global image as a dynamic hub.
Advancing global decision-making in the GCC
The GCC has built a strong foundation for global leadership through economic diversification, tech innovation and cultural outreach.
To become a decision-making hub, it must enhance collaboration beyond tech and infrastructure, creating frameworks for diverse stakeholder engagement. Prioritizing collective sensemaking and outcome-focused dialogue can help transition from a hydrocarbon to a knowledge-based economy, leveraging its strategic location for global influence.
Establishing formal structures for multi-stakeholder engagement – moving beyond hierarchical and static panels to practical design sessions – can integrate diverse perspectives from governments, industry, academia and civil society, while respecting traditions and improving decision-making with broad insights.
Globally, leaders often struggle with emergent, inclusive decision-making due to control concerns. However, structured collaborative conversations can create safe spaces for unconventional ideas, fostering innovation and alignment through collective sensemaking without requiring full consensus.
Adopting co-creative processes demands and builds transformative skills like facilitation, comfort with ambiguity and iterative problem-solving. Continuous learning and cross-sector exchanges can institutionalize adaptive decision-making. Investing in collaborative frameworks can position the GCC to build inclusive global governance, setting a standard for sustainable, forward-thinking leadership.
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Gulf well-placed to redefine global decision-making
The GCC is transitioning from an energy hub to a future-focused leader in global technology, investing in emerging tech, economic diversification and cultural outreach.
By leveraging sovereign wealth funds, advancing AI governance and launching projects like Saudi’s new city NEOM and Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City hub, the region is shaping tomorrow’s economy and strengthening its role in future tech revolutions.
As global power structures shift, the GCC also has an unprecedented opportunity to redefine its role in global decision-making. Through inclusive dialogues and multi-stakeholder engagement, the Gulf region can set a new standard for resilient governance in a complex, multipolar world.
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