RAK Ruler arrives in Malaysia for GCC-ASEAN summits
High-level summits underway in Kuala Lumpur
Sheikh Saud is representing the UAE at the 2nd GCC-ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, held under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' Malaysia is hosting the events as part of its presidency of ASEAN 2025.
Official welcome in Malaysia
Upon arrival, His Highness was received by Malaysian Minister of Defence Mohamed Khaled Nordin and several senior Malaysian officials.
UAE delegation includes senior officials
The official UAE delegation includes His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi is accompanied by an official delegation comprising Sheikh Khalid bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Vice Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah's Investment and Development Office; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State; Khalil Mohammed Sharif Foulathi, board member of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA); Dr. Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Malaysia, and Abdullah Salem Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN.
Focus on strengthening cooperation
The two summits aim to enhance cooperation between the GCC, ASEAN, and China across multiple sectors, including economy, investment, development, and politics. Discussions will also explore new avenues to promote shared prosperity and development.
Background: A growing GCC-ASEAN partnership
This marks the second summit between the GCC and ASEAN, following the inaugural meeting in Riyadh in 2023. At that summit, it was agreed the event would be held biennially to reinforce regional collaboration.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
AI defence expo: Palestine protesters interrupt former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Navy secretary
A prominent AI conference in Washington focusing on US defence technology was interrupted by Palestine protesters for a second day on Tuesday. Former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt was speaking before hundreds of people at the AI+ Expo when demonstrators stood up and shouted at the technology tycoon: 'Shame on you! Your AI is being used in genocide!" Mr Schmidt told the moderator, not directly acknowledging the several protesters: 'Let's just wait until the audience can hear us." Mr Schmidt is also the chairman of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), which is the main organiser of the AI+ Expo. SCSP describes itself as an organisation that 'seeks to recapture the competitive mindset and unifying national mission from past eras, and then adapt them to the age of AI and 21st-century strategic rivalry'. Alphabet-owned Google, like several other US-based tech firms, has come under intense criticism for its AI-military defence contracts with Israel. On Monday, protesters interrupted US Navy Secretary John Phelan as he spoke at the conference. 'AI should not be used in genocide,' several people yelled. In both instances, demonstrators tried to unfurl Palestinian flags as people shouted allegations that AI is being used unfairly and disproportionately against Gazans. For Mr Phelan, the protesters also displayed a banner that specifically accused the AI-tech firm Palantir. 'Palantir kills in Gaza,' read the sign, which was ripped away from the protesters. The moderator of the discussion, Mike Gallagher, who is also head of defence at Palantir, decided to address the protests. 'How wonderful to live in a country where people are allowed to speak their minds and ask questions of their governments,' he said. 'Because the adversaries we're up against, whether they're genocidal communists in Beijing or Islamic jihadists in the Middle East, do not.' Demonstrators are increasingly targeting the booming AI sector. Palantir, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google and Microsoft - which sent representatives to the event - have faced criticism from pro-Gaza protesters. In recent months, Microsoft has had its company events interrupted by demonstrators and former employees who say the company's AI tools are being used by the Israeli military in its assault on Gaza. In responding to the claims, the company recently announced an internal review had found 'no evidence' its products have been used to harm people in Gaza. That review, however, according to demonstrators, left more questions than answers. In May, Palantir's chief executive Alex Karp spent more than 10 minutes sparring with a protester over the company's AI technology being used in the Israel-Gaza war. 'Your AI technology kills Palestinians,' the protester shouted. Mr Karp quickly responded: 'Mostly terrorists, that's true.' The anger related to AI being used in military operations has shown no sign of slowing. Among those speaking at this week's AI conference is Alexandr Wang, chief executive of the increasingly powerful tech firm Scale AI. It too, has come in for criticism for its revenue generated from defence contracts. In a recent interview, Mr Wang defended his company's business model. 'We're at the brink of this incredibly powerful new technology, and the applications for national security are obvious,' Mr Wang said during a discussion at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington. 'It's going to be imperative for the US to stay ahead.' Israel's punishing campaign in Gaza – which followed the 2023 attacks by Hamas-led fighters on Israel that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the capture of 240 hostages – has killed at least 54,100 people and injured at least 123,208. The war has prompted heightened Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in the US.
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Al Etihad
RAK Ruler pardons 411 prisoners ahead of Eid Al Adha
3 June 2025 21:52 RAS AL KHAIMAH (WAM) His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has ordered the release of 411 prisoners ahead of Eid Al prisoners' release comes as part of Shaikh Saud's keenness to give pardoned inmates an opportunity to start a new life and bring about stability to their this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, directed to proceed with the necessary legal procedures to implement Sheikh Saud's decision. The Attorney-General of Ras Al Khaimah, Hasan Saeed Mehaimed, said that this noble gesture of His Highness Sheikh Saud reflects his keenness to give the inmates the opportunity to reintegrate into society and bring happiness to their families and loved ones.
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Moscow poses no threat to Britain, says Russia's UK embassy
Russia's embassy in London said on Tuesday that Moscow had no intention of attacking Britain, rejecting accusations by the British government of growing aggression and daily cyberattacks. Britain said on Monday it would radically change its approach to defence to address new threats, including from Russia, after endorsing the findings of an independently-produced Strategic Defence Review. After unveiling the defence overhaul on Monday, Healey said Europe was facing war, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks and daily cyberattacks. Russia's embassy issued a statement on Tuesday criticising what it described as "a fresh salvo of anti-Russian rhetoric". "Russia poses no threat to the United Kingdom and its people," the statement said. "We harbour no aggressive intentions and have no plans to attack Britain. We are not interested in doing so, nor do we need to." Relations between Russia and Britain are at their lowest level since the Cold War. They deteriorated further after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Britain and other Nato members have provided large amounts of military aid and other support to Kyiv. China's embassy in London also criticised Britain's defence review, saying in a statement on Tuesday that the document deliberately misrepresented Beijing's defence policy to justify British military expansion. The review had described China as "a sophisticated and persistent challenge", citing its rapid military modernisation, including an expanded nuclear arsenal, and saying Beijing was likely using espionage and cyberattacks, and stealing intellectual property.
