The Nordic Cooperation and the Gulf Cooperation Council: Areas of conjunction and opportunities for cooperation

Objectives: The Nordic Cooperation (NC) experience has not been sufficiently studied in Gulf-European studies. This paper highlights the NC as a model that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could benefit from. The study raises the following questions: What are the areas of intersection between the Nordic model and the GCC? What lessons can be learned from the Nordic Cooperation experience in the areas of food security and green energy for the GCC? Method: A comparative analysis was conducted on the framework of both the NC and the GCC, along with a case evaluation of successful initiatives in the NC related to food security and green energy sectors. This paper provides a descriptive analysis of NC policies to assess the potential for the GCC to apply a similar framework. Results: The GCC could benefit from the Nordic Cooperation experience in implementing promising policies that contribute to achieving the strategic goals of the Council, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, food security, and green energy, which could enhance its effective role in maintaining regional stability. Conclusion: Enhanced cooperation between the GCC and Nordic countries - through knowledge transfer, technological innovation, and sustainable practices - offers a strategic pathway for food security, energy diversification, and long-term economic resilience.