Latest news with #2ndAsean-GCCSummit
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Malaysia's Asean Summit success driven by efficiency, teamwork
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's successful hosting of the recent Asean Summit was driven by the efficiency, dedication and teamwork of all parties involved, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the smooth running of the summit was the result of the extraordinary commitment shown by the government machinery, including the public, who understood Malaysia's responsibilities as host. "I saw excellence at all levels, our public servants were outstanding. From the airport, parades, police, immigration, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), hotel management, to the Foreign Ministry coordinating everything, and the Prime Minister's Department managing the protocol. "Even I was overwhelmed by the protocol, but I respected what the officers directed the prime minister to do. I followed everything. Why? Because we are a nation with rules, and we work as a team," he said. He was speaking at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly here today, which was also attended by both Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Anwar also commended the cooperation among Asean leaders in making collective decisions while respecting the interests of their respective countries. "We had to decide on a shared understanding in facing President Trump's tariffs. Each country has its own strategy, which will involve bilateral relations. But we also want to safeguard the interests of more than 650 million people in Asean countries. "No decision made by Malaysia should harm other countries, nor should decisions by, for example, Vietnam, be detrimental to others. We work as a team," he added. The 46th Asean Summit concluded on May 27, following a series of high-level meetings focused on enhancing regional cooperation and strengthening strategic partnerships. Over the two-day event, Asean leaders participated in several key meetings, including the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit, the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, and the 16th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit. As Asean Chair for 2025, Malaysia hosted the 46th Summit under the theme "Inclusion and Sustainability", marking the fifth time the country has held the chairmanship, having previously served in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Bahrain reaffirms support for GCC-Malaysia trade pact in meeting with Malaysian King
KUALA LUMPUR: Bahrain has reaffirmed its support for joint efforts between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Malaysia to establish a free trade agreement, describing it as a strategic milestone to boost economic ties and promote long-term growth. According to Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa conveyed the message during a meeting with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, held on the sidelines of his official visit to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Prince Salman said the proposed agreement would enhance trade relations and support sustainable economic development between the GCC bloc and Malaysia. He also highlighted the strong and longstanding ties between Bahrain and Malaysia, stressing the importance of further expanding bilateral cooperation in mutually beneficial areas. The Crown Prince said the growing partnership reflects the continued support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim. During the meeting, Prince Salman conveyed greetings from King Hamad to Sultan Ibrahim, along with his wishes for Malaysia's continued progress and prosperity. Sultan Ibrahim, in turn, extended his greetings to King Hamad. Also present at the meeting were Bahrain's Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and the Private Secretary to the Crown Prince, Shaikh Abdullah bin Isa Al Khalifa. Sultan Ibrahim hosted a Royal Luncheon at Istana Negara on Tuesday in honour of visiting dignitaries attending the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits. Key highlights of the day include the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, both held to deepen strategic dialogue and economic collaboration.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar's Asean leadership a model of diplomacy in Myanmar crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: This year's ASEAN chairmanship under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has drawn strong praise from world-renowned economist Professor Dr Jeffrey D. Sachs. He described Anwar's efforts in addressing the Myanmar crisis as both constructive and aligned with the regional grouping's collective aspirations. Sachs, a Columbia University professor and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, said Malaysia's proactive approach reflects responsible diplomacy, not interference, in promoting Asean peace and stability. "I think the leadership of Asean in trying to make sure that there is peace within the Asean region is extremely important and very constructive. "That's not interference in the way we should object to," he said in a press interview after attending the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today. He commended Anwar's role as Asean Chair in addressing the Myanmar situation, describing the Prime Minister as "a remarkable leader in his own right" who is leveraging his position to facilitate intra-Asean solutions. "This is not interference in the sense of one country butting into the internal affairs of another. It's about helping Asean succeed, thrive and be peaceful internally. "I strongly support what Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is trying to do," Sachs said. When asked whether Asean should consider reforming its long-standing principle of non-interference in light of the ongoing Myanmar crisis, Sachs did not offer a specific policy recommendation but instead highlighted a broader global trend towards stronger regional cooperation. "We're in a period where regional groups all over the world, not only Asean, are becoming stronger internally because they recognise that the success of each individual country depends on the success of the group," he said. He added that Asean's growing diplomatic role, both internally and globally, is vital at a time when countries face increasing uncertainty and pressure, including from global powers like the US. "In this context, a strong Asean is extremely important, and real leadership within Asean is essential. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is providing exactly that this year. It's a very successful presidency," Sachs remarked. Referring to recent regional meetings, including the 46th Asean Summit, the Asean-GCC meeting, and the Asean-GCC-China dialogue, he said these high-level engagements reflect Malaysia's effective stewardship and Asean's commitment to unity and cooperation. "These meetings are very important and a very successful initiative of Malaysia's presidency," he said. Among the Asean leaders attending the events are the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah; Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto; Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet; Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone; Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong; and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Also present at the summit are Timor-Leste's Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, as an Observer, and Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. GCC delegates at the summit include the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman Hamad Al Khalifa, and Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik al Said, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud and UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi are also in attendance.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
GCC hopes to achieve RM759bil in trade with Asean by 2032, says Kuwait's Sheikh Sabah Khaled
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is hoping to achieve US$180bil (RM759.6bil) in trade with Asean by 2032 and this can be done by having proactive economic policies, says Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Sheikh Sabah Khaled, who is the president of the current session of the GCC ministerial council, said trade with Asean and the six gulf countries stood at US$130.7bil (RM551.55bil) in 2023. 'GCC is Asean's seventh largest trading partner in 2023. We expect trade growth to reach US$180bil (RM759.6bil) by 2032. 'The increase in investment and market confidence shows a huge potential to improve these figures through proactive economic policies,' said Sheikh Sabah Khaled in his opening remarks of the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit in KL Convention Centre (KLCC) on Tuesday (May 27). He said the GCC and Asean represent the largest economy and population group in the world, with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) worth US$6 trillion (RM25.32tril)and a population of 740 million. ALSO READ: Asean and GCC can be anchors of stability and engines for growth, says PM 'This includes among the most important trading networks and sea routes in the world, which will have a direct effect on regional stability and global economic growth,' said Sheikh Sabah Khaled. 'We look forward to progress in free trade agreement negotiations, as well as strengthening cooperation in supply chains and investment,' said Sheikh Sabah Khaled. Meanwhile, the Kuwait Crown Prince also said the GCC is very concerned at the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine. ALSO READ: Asean summits today to reinforce Malaysia's role in steering strategic cooperation 'The GCC reaffirms its support towards the formation of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with West Jerusalem as the capital. 'We urge the international community to act quickly and sternly to end the violence and start peace talks based on international laws and the Arab Peace Initiative,' said Sheikh Sabah Khaled. Sheikh Sabah Khaled said the success of the Asean-GCC summit lies on the implementation of clear initiatives and objectives. ALSO READ: Asean–GCC–China summit reflects cooperation in a multipolar world, says Anwar 'Therefore, we suggest for a high-level monitoring mechanism to be set up under the GCC and Asean secretariat, with a periodical report to measure achievement,' he said. 'We also invite Asean to join the 2030 Riyadh Expo as an opportunity to promote a sustainable global cooperation model,' he added. The GCC consists of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
GCC eyes new frontiers with Asean in AI, cybersecurity, clean energy
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is seeking to explore new horizons of cooperation with Asean, particularly in line with global developments such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said future collaboration could include political and security matters, as well as economic, investment, trade, technical, energy security, and climate change initiatives. "This Asean-GCC partnership is vital. Together, our 16 nations represent immense economic and human potential, with a combined GDP nearing US$6 trillion and a population of about 740 million. "We are also linked by some of the world's most significant maritime and trade routes, giving our cooperation geopolitical and strategic weight that directly influences regional stability and global economic growth. "We look positively — and with optimism — at the achievements since the first summit and stress the importance of continuing to build upon them. We must explore new avenues of cooperation that reflect global trends, particularly in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity," he said in his opening address at the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit held here today. Sheikh Sabah Khaled, who is also President of the Supreme Council of the GCC, delivered his speech in Arabic. In the political and security spheres, he reaffirmed the GCC's commitment to constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in the internal affairs of nations. He also called for stronger collaboration in combating terrorism, extremism, and organised crime, while emphasising the need to enhance intelligence sharing and improve crisis response capabilities. "On energy security and climate cooperation, we affirm that both issues are among the top international priorities. "We commend Asean's progress in promoting renewable energy and express our readiness to share expertise in clean energy, green hydrogen, and low-carbon technologies to support the goals of the Paris Agreement," he said. Sheikh Sabah Khaled further called for cooperation in developing an inclusive digital economy that keeps pace with rapid technological change and the growth of e-commerce, suggesting the exchange of experiences in digital infrastructure development. In the cultural and humanitarian spheres, he proposed designating 2026 as the Year of Cultural Convergence between the GCC and Asean, with a series of cultural weeks, forums, and art exhibitions to be held throughout both regions. "We also propose celebrating Asean Day in a GCC country, and GCC Cultural Day in an Asean country, to advance our shared cultural aspirations. "We call for the inclusion of joint initiatives to empower youth and women in the next action plan, through training programmes, skill-building, and entrepreneurship projects that reflect the ambitions of new generations in our two regions." Looking ahead, Sheikh Sabah Khaled expressed hopes for Asean's participation in Expo 2030, which will be hosted in Riyadh. "This will be a global platform to showcase a new model of sustainable partnerships, future technologies, and economic and cultural openness," he said.
