Kuala lumpur: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has reiterated its commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and expanding its regional partnerships to strengthen its collective strategic independence. In a meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan underscored the bloc's robust economic vision, which is anchored in diversifying partnerships and expanding relations with global partners, including the GCC, India, Australia, and the European Union (EU).
According to Kuwait News Agency, Hasan highlighted ASEAN's strategic position as a corridor linking the East and West, a status reinforced by the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit held in May. This development is seen as a testament to the group's increasing global influence and its capacity to serve as a mediator between the East and West.
Hasan further noted that Malaysia's presidency of ASEAN this year focuses on initiatives aimed at strengthening economic resilience, advancing digital transition, and promoting sustainable development. The ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 26 to 28, 2025, under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability."
Established in 1967, ASEAN comprises 11 member states: Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste.