Saudi-Emirati Co-ordination Council: all you need to know

The UAE and Saudi Arabia took the first step to accelerate joint co-operation with the first meeting of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council in Jeddah. The meeting, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, outlined the council's organisational structure. The two leaders have set a five-year time-frame to implement 44 joint projects in an initiative called the Strategy of Resolve. Here's everything you need to know about the new council and new strengthened ties between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have shared deep-rooted brotherly ties. The two countries have a strong record of working together to further development and combat important regional and global issues . In December, President Sheikh Khalifa issued a decree to consolidate ties between the UAE and Saudi Arabia and enhance cooperation on regional and global issues. The Presidential decree aimed to key areas including defence, political institutions and the economy. The new council includes 16 ministers from high priority sectors in both countries. The UAE members: Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future; Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy; Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State; and Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council. The Saudi members: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, Minister of Interior; Prince Badr bin Abdullah; Mohammed Al Tuwaijri, Minister of Economy and Planning; Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, Minister of Commerce and Investment; Adel Al Jubair, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources; Ahmed bin Aqeel Al Khatib, Board Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority; Mohammed Al Jadaan, Minister of Finance; and Yasir bin Othman Al Rumayyan, Chief Executive and Secretary-General of the Board at Public Investment Fund. The strategy aims to create an exceptional model of integration and cooperation between the two countries through the implementation of joint projects that will enhance the contentment and prosperity of the people of the two countries. Saudi and Emirati government officials from various fields worked for 12 months to identify and outline three main pillars for closer cooperation. They are: The Council set a timeframe of five years to implement the projects outlined in the strategy. The economic pillar: _____________ Read more First meeting of Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council takes place in Jeddah Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council will strengthen already tight bonds _____________ The human and knowledge pillar This aims to create an effective and integrated educational system for both countries to prepare highly qualified generations of citizens. It focuses on the following fields: higher education, research cooperation, public education and technical education. Projects in this pillar include: Political pillar: The co-operation in the political, security and military pillar aims to enhance integration and maintain the sovereignty of both nations regionally and globally. This includes a number of initiatives such as the joint manufacturing of ammunition, light weapons, vehicles, and electronic shooting systems, as well as co-operation and co-ordination in foreign military assistance, cooperation in the maintenance of military systems, and standardisation of the military industry.

Saudi-Emirati Co-ordination Council: all you need to know

The Crown Princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi met to outline 44 key joint strategic initiatives