Flag of the Gulf Cooperation Council
Officially Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
Locally Majlis at-Taʿāwun al-Khalījī · مجلس التعاون الخليجي
What the flag looks like
A green field with the council's circular emblem in the center: a black ring of gold Arabic script around a hexagon framing a map of the Arabian Peninsula.
What it means
The hexagon stands for the six member states and the map for the peninsula they share; the script reads 'In the name of God' above the council's name.
How to remember it
The GCC
sets a map of the Arabian Peninsula inside a six-sided frame, one side per member, in a black ring on green.
Fun facts
- The council was founded in Abu Dhabi on 25 May 1981 by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
- In May 2011, the council's 30th anniversary, the six members agreed to fly its flag alongside their national flags.
Gulf Cooperation Council at a glance
- Founded
- 1981
- Members
- 6 states
- Headquarters
- Riyadh
- Headquarters
- Riyadh
- Region
- Founded 1981
- Languages
- Arabic
Flags often confused with the Gulf Cooperation Council
- Arab League: The GCC and the Arab League are both green with a round emblem in the center. The GCC's emblem is a black ring of script around a map of the Arabian Peninsula in a hexagon; the Arab League's is a white crescent inside a gold chain and laurel wreath.