Gulf states should take advantage of globalisation  to devise a strategy for their future based on technology and away from depletable oil resources, a senior GCC official was quoted as saying.

While the six GCC nations need to stick to their Islamic and cultural traditions, they should gradually open up to other civilisations and adopt positive change for their own advantage, an Emirates Business report quoted GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah as saying.

He was addressing a conference on reforms in the oil-rich region. Al Attiyah said political, institutional and social changes in the GCC should be closely linked to economic development, educational quality and media freedom.

He said there was a need for a “new approach” to achieve the goals of economic and social development in member states.