The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) this week signed a landmark agreement to strengthen political, economic and cultural cooperation. 

GCC Secretary-General Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah and OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu signed the agreement in Jeddah September 15.

According to a statement on the OIC website, the agreement aims to promote cooperation in the political, cultural, media, economic, social and environmental areas. It will be implemented through information exchange, the establishment of joint committees to study specific issues, and representation at meetings of both organizations.

The GCC is headquartered in Riyadh, while the OIC is based in Jeddah.