Promoting joint Gulf action: 14- The Supreme Council reviewed the developments of the joint Gulf action, stressed the importance of preserving the council’s gains and the achievements of its integrative career, and directed the competent authorities in the member states, the General Secretariat, and the ministerial and technical committees to redouble efforts to achieve the lofty goals stipulated in the Statute of the GCC. 15- The Supreme Council expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in implementing the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to promote joint Gulf action, which was approved by the Supreme Council at its 36 session, in December 2015. The Council mandated the bodies, councils, ministerial and technical committees, the General Secretariat and all council organs, to redouble their efforts to complete the remaining steps, according to their timetables, including the completion of the components of the economic unity within the framework of the GCC, the joint defense and security systems, and the elaboration of a unified and effective foreign policy for the GCC that preserves interests and earnings, avoids regional and international conflicts, and meets the aspirations of its citizens. 16- The Supreme Council was briefed on the results of consultations regarding the implementation of the Supreme Council’s decision taken in its 36 session regarding the proposal of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to move from the stage of cooperation to the union stage, and instruct the Supreme Council to continue efforts to move from the stage of cooperation to the stage of union, and assign to the Ministerial Council and the head of the specialized body to complete taking the necessary measures for that, and submit what is reached to the Supreme Council, at its next session. 17- The Supreme Council reviewed a report on the follow-up to the implementation of the work program of the Economic and Development Affairs Authority, and directed to set a road map for completing studies and projects related to achieving economic unity by the year 2025, stressing the importance of continuing to deepen cooperation and integration in the economic field between the countries of the Cooperation Council. 18- The Supreme Council adopted the consultative committee’s views on the role of women in development in the GCC states, its views on social media networks, and the frameworks and areas of strategic cooperation between the Cooperation Council and Africa, and directed them to refer them to the relevant authorities within the framework of the council. 19- The Supreme Council mandated its Advisory Body to study the following topics during its twenty-second session 2020: Gulf human capital and the promotion of economic sustainability, the Silk Road Project (Belt and Road), and uniting efforts to raise the ranking of the GCC states on the indicators of global competitiveness. 20- The Supreme Council approved the Law on Trademarks. --More 21:16 LOCAL TIME 18:16 GMT 0047 www.spa.gov.sa/w1226176