Kuala Lumpur: Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi affirmed that the tripartite summit between the GCC, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and China represents an exceptional event by all standards. This announcement was made during his speech at the summit held in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. The meeting was co-chaired by the Representative of His Highness the Amir Shaikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Shaikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, along with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The summit also saw the participation of leaders from GCC and ASEAN countries, as well as ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Budaiwi stated that the summit reflects a shared understanding of the importance of strengthening political consultation and exchanging views on issues concerning peace and economic development. The event aims to consolidate regional and international security and stability amid accelerating transformations at political, economic, and environmental levels. Al-Budaiwi emphasized that the meeting is a valuable opportunity to enhance understanding between the three major entities and explore coordination in fields of common interest.
Al-Budaiwi expressed gratitude to the Malaysian government and people for their hospitality and the organization of this significant summit. He thanked the Malaysian Prime Minister for his patronage of this important event that brings together the GCC, ASEAN, and China. He highlighted that the meeting marks the beginning of renewed tripartite cooperation based on shared values and aspirations of the participating nations.
He noted that the GCC recently celebrated its 44th anniversary and continues to promote sustainable development, peace, and stability in the region. The council is keen on expanding relations and partnerships with countries and international groups, particularly Asian partners, with whom they share civilizational, historical, and economic interests in trade, supply chains, renewable energy, and technology. Al-Budaiwi highlighted the vast potential of the combined market, which spans from the Arabian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean, representing over 2.14 billion people and a GDP of more than 24 trillion US dollars. He projected growth driven by digital transformation, clean energy, and smart supply chains, with trade volume potentially exceeding 500 billion dollars by 2030.
Al-Budaiwi called for activating partnerships, deepening trust, and building a development model based on shared opportunities and sustained returns. He pointed out that the commonalities between the GCC, ASEAN, and China outweigh differences, enabling the establishment of relations founded on mutual respect, equality, sovereignty, and common benefits. The cooperation with ASEAN has been a successful model for integration, culminating in the Riyadh Summit in October 2023, which established a strategic framework for the coming years. Meanwhile, relations with China have witnessed rapid growth, with the adoption of the Joint Action Plan covering various cooperation areas.
The GCC Chief underscored the importance of addressing areas of common interest such as food and energy security, digital transformation, climate change, and maritime security. He also touched on pressing issues like the Gaza Strip tragedy and the need for a sustainable solution to the Palestinian cause. Al-Budaiwi reiterated the GCC's support for the Palestinian people and emphasized the importance of protecting global trade interests and energy security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Al-Budaiwi concluded by highlighting the shared vision of building a more just and balanced regional system, seizing the moment to establish a strategic partnership that contributes to shaping a more sustainable world.