GCC Secretary-General Signs MoU Addendum to Cement Cooperation with WCO Counterpart

   Brussels, October 17, 2026, SPA -- Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Ian Saunders have signed an addendum to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two sides in Brussels.
   The GCC secretary-general stated that, building upon the MoU signed previously on December 15, 2017, and in light of the GCC Customs Union Authority commencing its competencies and responsibilities regarding customs union affairs as one of the operational bodies within the institutional framework of the GCC General Secretariat, this addendum was signed. Its first article stipulates that the "GCC Customs Union Authority" shall be the designated entity responsible for all matters concerning cooperation, representation, communication, coordination, and all other issues relevant to the implementation of the MoU.
   Additionally, a bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, during which several topics of mutual interest were reviewed and discussed. These foremost included exploring prospects for customs cooperation between the two sides, ways to boost coordination mechanisms and exchange expertise, contributing to backing the efforts of GCC member states in developing their customs systems and enhancing GCC customs integration, and serving the shared interests of both sides.​
   -- SPA