“In the last few years, Arab citizens have raised their voices to demand political change, democracy, economic and social development and an end to corruption. Today’s gathering is an opportunity to respond to their legitimate calls for progress, freedom and dignity,” Mr. Ban told the Third Summit Meeting on Arab Economic and Social Development, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In remarks delivered by Rima Khalaf, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Mr. Ban applauded many of the reforms that are occurring in the region.

He commended King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on his recent appointment of 30 women to the Shura Council, welcomed the adoption of a new constitution in Egypt, and reaffirmed his support for the Tunisian authorities as they seek to build consensus in drafting a constitution. He also welcomed progress in Libya and Yemen, and pledged the UN’s steadfast support for Iraq.

“Across the region, the challenge now is to deepen and broaden reform efforts,” said the Secretary-General.

“In particular, a new and more hopeful era for the Arab world demands that youth and women have opportunities to realize their aspirations. When Arab women enjoy their rights and realize their full potential, they will unleash enormous progress in their communities and countries.”

Mr. Ban noted that the region faces “significant” challenges such as growing unemployment and economic marginalization that have fuelled discontent. He also cited the need for major investments to create jobs and promote innovation.

“To address these longstanding inequalities, we need mechanisms that will increase political participation and strengthen social safety nets to protect and empower the poor,” he stated.

Development in the Arab region has been held back by protracted conflict, injustice and occupation, he noted, adding that the stalemate in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is “especially troubling.”

“We must renew our collective engagement to resume meaningful negotiations that will realize Palestinian aspirations to live in freedom and dignity in an independent State of their own, side by side with Israel in peace and security,” he stated, reaffirming that the UN is fully committed to working with all international partners and the parties themselves to achieve this goal.

The idea of the Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) to advance their entity into a union and replace what exists now as simply a cooperative was first proposed by Saudi Arabia in December.

Bahrain’s information information, Samira Rajab, revealed that a Saudi proposal to evolve the GCC into a union will be on the agenda of the Riyadh meeting, adding that the idea backed by Bahrain could start with two or three members, she told AFP.

“It could follow the “European Union model,” she added.

A united Gulf is the great dream of GCC people and this will enable all to live in security, peace, prosperity and stability, accoridng to  Bahrain’s Prime Minister yesterday.

Bahrain led by  a Sunni dynasty,  was hit last year by a wave of protests inspired by the Arab Spring and led by its Shiite majority.

The Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC), which includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE was formed in 1981 by Sunni-dominated monarchies aimed to boost security after the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran and its war with Iraq.

Riyadh argues that evolving the GCC into a union has economic potential.

 Such a union would turn the oil-rich GCC into a “solid economic bloc,” said the Saudi foreign minister, as the combined economic output of the group hit $1,400 billion in 2011, according to Al Arabiya.

But the GCC continues to face obstacles preventing the group from reaching goals set at its launch as only four members Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have signed a monetary council agreement in their bid to launch a single currency initially set up for 2010.